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THE
VOLUNTEER'S HAND BOOK:
CONTAINING AN ABRIDGEMENT OF
Hardee's Infantry Tactics
ADAPTED TO THE USE OF THE
PERCUSSION MUSKET IN SQUAD AND COMPANY EXERCISES,
MANUAL OF ARMS FOR RIFLEMEN,
AND
UNITED STATES ARMY
REGULATIONS AS TO PARADES, REVIEWS, INSPECTIONS,
GUARD MOUNTING, ETC.
BY
JAS. K. LEE,
OF THE
FIRST REGIMENT OF VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS
THIRD EDITION,
RICHMOND, VA:
WEST AND JOHNSTON,
No. 145 MAIN STREET,
1861
_______________________________________
Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by
WEST AND JOHNSTON,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the
Eastern District of Virginia.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
_______
INSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 |
COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 |
POSITION OF THE SOLDIER . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 |
Facings . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 |
The direct step . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 |
Common time . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 |
Quick time . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 |
Double Quick time . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 |
Alignment . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 |
|
To march obliquely . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 |
To march backwards . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 |
To mark time . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 |
To change step . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 |
|
To side step . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 |
|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 |
|
Wheelings . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 |
Turnings . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MANUAL OF ARMS . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . 22 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 |
|
Parade rest . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 |
To stack arms . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 |
Inspection of arms . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 |
Loading and firing . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 |
The direct fire . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 |
The oblique fire . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 |
To fire by file . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 |
To fire by rank . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 |
. . . . . . . . . . .45 |
|
To open ranks . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . .46 |
. . . . . . . . . . .47 |
|
To close ranks . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . .48 |
. . . . . . . . . . .48 |
|
To fire by the rear rank . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . .49 |
. . . . . . . . . . .50 |
|
To march in retreat . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . .51 |
To march by the flank . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . .53 |
. . . . . . . . . . .54 |
|
. . . . . . . . . . .55 |
|
. . . . . . . . . . .56 |
|
. . . . . . . . . . .56 |
|
. . . . . . . . . . .56 |
|
. . . . . . . . . . .56 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
By company into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. .57 |
By platoon into line . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. .58 |
Marching in column by platoon, to march by the flank in the same direction . . . . . . . . . |
. .59 |
To break into column by platoon . . . . . . . . |
. .60 |
To march in column . . . . . . . . . . . |
. .61 |
To change direction of the column . . . . . . . |
. .61 |
To halt the column, and to form into line either at a halt or on the march . . . . . . . . . . |
. .63 |
To break the company into platoons . . . . . . . |
. .65 |
To re-form the company . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. .66 |
To break files to the rear . . . . . . . . . . . |
. .67 |
. .68 |
|
The column in route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. .69 |
Countermarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. .71 |
The column being in march, to form on the right or left into line of battle . . . . . . . . . |
. .72 |
Formation of a company from two ranks into four, and reciprocally at a halt, and in march . . . |
. .74 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 |
|
FORM OF INSPECTION . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 |
DRESS PARADE . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 |
REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 |
GUARD MOUNTING . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . .101 |
GUARDS AND SENTINELS . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . .105 |
ESCORTS OF HONOR . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . .108 |
COLOR ESCORT . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . .108 |
FUNERAL HONORS . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . .110 |
INSTRUCTION.
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First principles having the greatest influence upon individual instruction, upon which that of the company and regiment depend, recruits should be watched with the greatest care. Instructors should explain, in a few clear and precise words, the movement to be executed; and not to overburden the memory of the men, they should always use the same words to explain the same principles. They should often join example to precept, should keep up the attention of the men by an animated tone, and pass rapidly from one movement to another, as soon as that which they command has been executed in a satisfactory manner.
As the discipline and efficiency of a company materially depend upon the conduct and character of its non-commissioned officers, these should be selected with care, and properly instructed in all the duties pertaining to their rank. And as such instruction is intended principally to qualify them for the instruction of the privates, they should be taught not only to execute, but to explain every thing they may be required to teach.
COMMANDS.
Commands are of three kinds: The command of caution, which is attention; the preparatory command, which indicates the movement to be executed; and the command of execution, such as march, or halt.
The tone of command should be animated, distinct, and of a loudness proportioned to the number of men under instruction. The command attention is pronounced at the top of the voice, dwelling on the last syllable. The command of execution should be pronounced in a tone firm and brief.* Those preparatory commands, which from their length are difficult to be pronounced at once, must be divided into two or three parts, with an ascending progression in the tone of command, but always so that the tone of execution may be more energetic and elevated.**
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* The commands of caution and the preparatory commands are herein distinguished by bold face, those of execution by CAPTITALS.
** The divisions are herein indicated by a hyphen. The parts of commands which are placed in a parenthesis are not pronounced
THE SQUAD.
PART 1.
The squad drill is the very basis of all proficiency in military exercise. In most cases, it is impracticable to instruct volunteers in squads of less than four or eight men at a time. Hence it is important that the men should fix and keep their attention upon the instructor, who ought, as far as possible, to add example to precept in all of his instructions.
In the following exercises to para. 67, the recruit is supposed to be without arms. After he is taught the use of the arms, the loadings and firings, he should be will exercised with arms in the whole of the squad-drill, before proceeding to the movements of company-drill.
1. Heels on the same line and as close together as the conformation of the man will permit, the feet turned out equally, and forming with each other something less than a right angle; knees straight, without stiffness; body erect on the hips, inclining a little forward; shoulders square and falling equally; arms hanging naturally; elbows near the body; palms of the hands turned a little to the front, the little fingers behind the seam of the pantaloons; head erect and square to the front, without constraint; chin a little drawn in; eyes fixed straight to the front and striking the ground about the distance of fifteen paces.
1. Eyes-RIGHT. 2. FRONT.
2. At the word right, turn the head gently to the right, so as to bring the inner corner of the left eye in a line with the centre of the body, the eyes fixed on the line of the eyes of the men in, or supposed to be in,
THE SQUAD.
the same rank. At the word front, resume the direct position.
The movement of eyes-LEFT will be executed by inverse means.
The instructor will take care that the movement of the head does not derange the squareness of the shoulders.
REST.
3. At the command REST, stand at ease.
1. Attention. 2. SQUAD.
4. At the first word, the recruit will fix his attention; at the second, he will resume the prescribed position and steadiness.
1. Squad. 2. Right (or Left)-FACE.
5. At the second command, raise the right foot slightly, turn to the right (or left), on the left heel, raising the toe a little, and then replace the right heel by the side of the left, and on the same line.
FRONT.
6. Turn on the left heel so as to regain the first position, and replace the right heel by the side of the left.
1. Squad. 2 ABOUT-FACE.
7. At the word about turn on the left heel, bring the left toe to the front, carry the right foot to the rear, the hollow opposite to and full three inches from the left heel, the feet square to each other. At the word face, turn on both heels, raise the toes a little, extend the thighs and face to the rear, bringing, at the same time, the right heel by the side of the left.
The men should take care that these motions do not derange the erect positions of the body.
THE SQUAD
8. The direct step, or pace, in common time is twenty-eight inches, reckoning from heel to heel, and at a rate of ninety in a minute.
1. Squad, forward. 2. Common time. 3. MARCH.
9. At the first command, feel the weight of the body on the right leg, without bending the left knee. At the command march, step off with the left foot, carrying it straight forward twenty-eight inches from the right, the sole near the ground, the ham extended, the toe a little depressed, as also the knee, slightly turned out; at the same time, throw the weight of the body forward, and plant the left foot, without shock, precisely at the distance where it finds itself form the right, when the weight of the body is brought forward, the whole of which will now rest on the advanced foot. Next, in like manner, advance the right foot and plant it as above, the twenty-eight inches from the heel of the left foot, and thus continue to march, without crossing the legs, or striking the one against the other, without turning the shoulders, and preserving always the face direct to the front.
1. Squad. 2. HALT.
10. At the word halt, which will be pronounced at the instant when either foot is coming to the ground, the foot in the rear will be brought up, and planted by the side of the other, without shock.
11. The principles of the step in quick time are the same as for common time, but its swiftness is at the rate of one hundred and ten steps per minute. As soon as the recruit has acquired steadiness, has become established in the manual of arms, and in the mechanism, length, and swiftness
THE SQUAD.
of the step ion common time, he will be practiced only in quick time, the double quick, and the run. The instructor, wishing the squad to march in quick time, will command.
1. Squad, forward. 2. MARCH.
12. At the command march, the squad will step off and continue to march in quick time.*
12. The length of the double quick step is thirty-three inches, and its swiftness at the rate of one hundred and sixty-five steps per minute.
1. Double quick step. 2. MARCH.
14. At the first command, raise the hands to a level with the hips, the hands closed, the nails toward the body, the elbows to the rear.
15. At the second command, raise to the front the left leg bent to its greatest elevation, that part between the knee and the instep vertical, the toe depressed; replace the foot in its former position; execute with the right leg what has just been prescribed for the left, and continue the alternate movement of the legs until the command:
1. Squad. 2. HALT.
16. At the command halt, bring the foot which is raised by the side of the other, and resume the position o the soldier.
1. Squad, forward.2. Double quick. 3. MARCH.
17. At the first command, throw the weight of the body on the right leg. At the second, place the arms as indicated in 14. At the third, carry forward the left foot, the leg slightly bent, the knee raised, plant the left foot,
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*. When the time is not indicated in the preparatory command, the squad will always step off in quick time.
THE SQUAD.
left foot, the toe first, thirty-three inches from the right, and with the right foot execute what has just been prescribed for the left. The weight of the body should be thrown upon the foot that is planted, and the men should breathe as much as possible through the nose, keeping the mouth closed.
The Run.
18. The principles of the run are the same as for the double quick step, the only difference consisting in a greater degree of swiftness.*
19. Six or eight men should be united in one rank, elbow to elbow, and numbered from right to left in order to be taught the principles of alignment, or dressing on a line. The instructor will at first teach them to align themselves man by man; to this end he will command the two men on the right flank to march two paces to the front, and having aligned them, he will caution the remainder of the squad to move up as they may be successively called, each by his number, and align themselves successively on the line of the first two men.
20. Each man, as designated by his number, will turn the head and eyes to the right, as prescribed in 2, and will march in quick time two paces forward, shortening the last so as to find himself about six inches behind the new alignment, which he ought never to pass; he will next move up steadily by steps of two or three inches, the thighs extended, to the side of the man next to him on the alignment, so that,
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*To obtain with accuracy the cadence of the different steps, the pendulum or metronome must be employed.
In our latitude, the pendulum, to vibrate common time, should be 17.37 inches in length; to vibrate quick time, 11.63 inches in length; and to vibrate double quick time, 6.17 inches in length.
THE SQUAD.
without deranging the head, the line of the eyes, or that of the shoulders, he may find himself in the exact line of his neighbor, whose elbow he will lightly touch without opening his own.
The instructor seeing the rank well aligned, will command:
FRONT.
21. At this the men will turn their eyes to the front and remain firm.
22. Alignments to the left will be executed on the same principles.
When the men shall have thus learned to align them selves man by man correctly, the instructor will cause the entire rank to align itself at once by the command:
Right (or left)-DRESS.
23. At this, the rank, except for the two men placed as a basis of alignment, will move up in quick time, and place themselves on the new line as prescribed in p. 20.
The instructor seeing the rank aligned will command:
FRONT.
24. Alignments to the rear will be executed on the same principles, the men stepping back a little beyond the line and then dressing up by steps of two or three inches as prescribed in p. 20, the instructor commanding:
Right (or left) backward-DRESS.
To march to the front.
25. The rank being aligned, when the instructor shall wish to cause it to march by the front, he will place a well instructed man on the right or left, according to the side on which he may wish the guide to be, and command:
1. Squad, forward. 2. Guide right (or left), 3. MARCH
26. At the command march, the rank will step off promptly with the
THE SQUAD.
left foot; the guide should take care to march straight to the front; the men should touch lightly the elbow towards the side of the guide, be careful not to open out the left elbow nor the right arm, yield to pressure coming from the side of the guide, and resist that coming from the opposite side, keep the head direct to the front, no matter on which side the guide may be, and if found before or behind the alignment, shorten or lengthen the step by degrees, almost insensible, until the fault is corrected.
The squad being in march, the instructor desiring them to march obliquely, will command:
1. Right (or left) oblique. 2. MARCH.
27. At the second command, each man will make a half face to the right (or left), and will then march straight forward in the new direction. As the men no longer touch elbows, they will glance along the shoulders of the nearest files toward the side to which they are obliquing, and will regulate their steps so that the shoulders shall always be behind that of their neighbor on that side, and that his head shall conceal the heads of the other men in the rank. The men should preserve the same length of pace and the same degree of obliquity.
The instructor wishing to resume the primitive direction, will command:
1. Forward. 2. MARCH.
28. At the second command, each man will make a half face to the left (or right), and will then march straight to the front as in the direct march.
The squad being at a halt, if the instructor should wish to march it in the back step, he will command:
1. Squad, backward. 2. Guide right (or left).
3. MARCH.
THE SQUAD.
29. At the command march, step off smartly with the left foot fourteen inches to the rear, and so on with the feet in succession, the head direct to the front, touching the elbow toward the guide and yielding to pressure from that side, until the command halt. At this command bring the foot in front by the side of the other.
The squad marching in the direct step in common or quick time, the instructor will command:
1. Mark time. 2, MARCH.
30. At the second command, which will be given at the instant either foot is coming to the ground, make a semblance of marching, by advancing first one foot, and then the other, always bringing back the advanced foot and placing its heel by the side of the heel of the other.
1. Change step. 2. MARCH.
31. At the second command, given at the instant either foot is coming to the ground, bring up quickly the foot in the rear to the side of that just come to the ground, and step off with the latter.
1. Squad, right about. 2. MARCH.
32. At the command march, which will be given at the instant the left foot is coming to the ground, bring this foot to the ground, and turning on it face to the rear, then place then right foot in the new direction, and step off with the left foot.
If the squad be marching and the instructor should wish to bring it to a halt and faced to the rear, he will command:
1. Squad, right about. 2. HALT.
33. At the command halt, which will be given as the left foot is coming to the ground, bring this foot to the ground and turning on it face to the rear, then bring the right foot to the side of the left.
THE SQUAD.
The squad being at a halt, the instructor wishing to move it to the right on the same line, will command:
1. Side step to the right. 2. MARCH.
34. At the second command, each man will glance his eyes to the right, and at the same time carry his right foot about ten inches to the right, and instantly bring up his left foot, and so on the whole with perfect precision of time, shoulders square to the front, and each man perceptibly halting, when he has closed on the fixed point, or on the man next to him. Thus continues until the command:
1. Squad. 2. HALT.
35. AT the second command, bring up the left foot to the side of the right, and stand firm.
36. Change position by side step to the left will be executed on the same principles by inverse means.
37. The rank being at a halt and correctly aligned, the instructor will command:
Count Twos.
38. At this command the men count from right to left, pronouncing in a loud and distinct voice, in the same tone, without hurry, and without turning the head, one, two, according to the place which each occupies. The instructor will then command:
1. Squad, right-FACE. 2. Forward. 3. MARCH.
39. At the command face, the squad will face to the right; the even numbered men, after facing to the right, will step quickly to the right side of the odd numbered men, the latter standing fast, so that when the movement is executed, the men will be formed into files of two men abreast.
40. At the command, march, the squad will step off smartly with the
THE SQUAD.
left foot; the files keeping aligned and preserving their intervals.
41. To march by the left flank will be executed by the same command, substituting the word left for right, and by inverse means; in this case the even numbered men, after facing to the left, will stand fast, and the odd numbered will place themselves on their left.
1. Squad. 2. HALT. 3. FRONT.
42. At the second command, the squad will halt, and afterwards no man will stir, although he may have lost his distance.
43. At the third command, each man will front by facing to the left, if marching by the right flank, and by a face to the right, if marching by the left flank. The rear rank men will at the same time move quickly into their places, so as to form the squad again into one rank.
To change direction by file, the instructor will command:
1. By file left (or right). 2. MARCH.
44. At the command march, the first file will change direction to the left (or right) in describing a small arc of a circle, and will then march straight forward; the two men of this file in wheeling will keep up the touch of the elbows, and the man on the side to which the wheel is made, will shorten the first three or four steps. Each file will come successively to wheel on the same spot where that which preceded it wheeled,
To face by the right or left flank in marching, the command is:
1. Squad by the right (or left) flank. 2. MARCH.
45. At the command march, which will be given as either foot as coming to the ground, the men will turn the body, plant the foot that is raised in the new direction, an step off with the other foot without altering the cadence of the step; the men will double or undouble
THE SQUAD.
rapidly.
46. If in facing by the right or left flank, the squad should face to the rear, the men will come into one rank agreeably to the principles above indicated in p. 43. Observe, that the men who are in rear, always move up to form into single rank, and in such manner as never to invert the order of the numbers in the rank.
47. If when the squad has been faced to the rear, the instructor should cause it to face by the left flank, it is the even numbers who double by moving to the left of the odd numbers; but if by the right flank, it is the odd numbers who will double to the right of the even numbers.
48. Whenever the instructor desires the men to march in one rank, he will caution them not to double files.
49. Wheelings are of two kinds; from halts or on fixed pivots, and in march or on moveable pivots.
50. Wheeling on a fixed pivot, takes place in passing a corps from the order in battle to the order in column, or from the latter to the former.
51. Wheels in marching take place in changes of direction in column, as often as this movement is executed to the side opposite the guide.
52. In wheels from a halt the pivot man only turns in his place, without advancing or receding.
53. In the wheels in marching, the pivot man takes steps of full nine inches, to clear the wheeling point before the next subdivision arrives on the same ground, which is necessary in order that the succeeding subdivisions may not lose their distances by being delayed.
54. In both cases, the man on the wheeling flank will always take the full pace of twenty-eight inches.
THE SQUAD.
Wheeling from a halt, or on a fixed pivot.
The rank being at a halt, the instructor will place a well-instructed man on the wheeling flank to conduct it, and then command:
1. By Squad, right wheel. 2. MARCH.
55. At the command march, the rank will step off with the left foot, turning at the same time the head a little to the left, the eyes fixed on the line of the eyes of the men to the left; the pivot man will merely mark time in gradually turning his body, in order to conform himself to the movement of the marching flank; the man who conducts this flank, will take steps of twenty-eight inches, and from the first step advance a little the left shoulder, cast his eyes from time to time along the rank, and feel constantly the elbow of the next man lightly, but never push him.
56. The other men will feel lightly the elbows of the next man toward the pivot, resist pressure coming form the opposite side, and each will conform himself to the marching flank-shortening his step according to his approximation to the pivot.
The instructor will make the rank wheel round the circle once or twice before halting, in order to cause the principles to be better understood, and he will be watchful that the centre does not break.
57. The wheel to the left will be executed according to the same principles. To arrest the wheel, the instructor will command:
1. Squad. 2. HALT.
58. At the second command, the rank will halt and no man stir. The instructor going to the flank opposite to the pivot, will place the two outer men of that flank in the direction he may wish to give the rank, taking care to leave between them and the pivot only the space necessary
THE SQUAD.
to contain the other men. He will then command:
Left (or right) DRESS.
59. At this the rank will place itself on the alignment of the two men established as the basis in conformity with the principles prescribed in p. 20.
60. The instructor will nest command FRONT, which will be executed as prescribed in P. 21.
Wheeling in marching, or on a moveable pivot.
The rank being in march, the instructor will command:
1. Right (or left) wheel. 2. MARCH.
61. The first command will be given when the rank is yet four paces from the wheeling point.
62. At the second command, the wheel will be executed in the same manner as from a halt, except that the touch of the elbow will remain toward the marching flank (or side of the guide) instead of the side of the actual pivot; that the pivot man, instead of merely turning in his place, will conform himself to movement of the marching flank, feel lightly the elbow of the next man, take steps of full nine inches, and thus gain ground forward in describing the arc of a small circle, to clear the point of the wheel. The middle of the rank will bend slightly to the rear. As soon as the movement shall commence, the man who conducts the marching flank will cast his eyes on the ground over which he will have to pass.
The wheel being ended, the instructor will command:
1. Forward. 2. MARCH.
63. The first command will be pronounced when four paces are yet required to complete the change of direction.
64. At the command march, which will be given at the instant of completing the wheel, the man who conducts the marching flank (or guide)
THE SQUAD.
will direct himself straight forward; the pivot man and all the rank will retake the step of twenty-eight inches, and bring his head direct to the front.
To change direction to the side of the guide in marching, the instructor will command:
1. Left (or right) turn. 2. MARCH.
65. The first command will be given when the rank is yet four pacesfrom the turning point.
66. At the command march, to be pronounced at the instant the rank ought to turn, the guide will face to the left (or right) in marching, and move forward in the new direction without slackening or quickening the cadence (rate of march), and without shortening or lengthening the step. The whole rank will promptly conform itself to the new direction; to effect which, each man will advance the shoulder opposite to the guide, take the double quick step, to carry himself in the new direction, turn the head and eyes to the side of the guide, and retake the touch of the elbow on that side in placing himself on the alignment of the guide, from whom he will take the step, and then resume the direct position of the head. Each man will thus arrive successively on the alignment.
67. The manual of arms should be taught to two men placed at first side by side in one rank, elbow to elbow, and next in a single file, that is one behind the other. Each command is executed in one time (or pause), and is divided into motions. The rate (or swiftness) of each motion, except the motions relative to the cartridge, to the rammer, and to the fixing and unfixing of the bayonet, is fixed at the ninetieth part of a minute; but the motions here excepted should be executed with
THE SQUAD.
promptness and regularity. As soon as the men shall well comprehend the positions of the several motions, they will be taught to execute the time without resting on the motions.
Position of Shoulder Arms.
68. The piece in the left hand, the arm but a very little bent, the elbow back, near the body, the palm of the hand pressing on the pressing on the outer flat of the butt; the outer edge of the butt on the upper joints of the fingers, (the inner edge on the lower joints, and the ends inside,) the heel of the butt between the fore and middle fingers, the thumb on the front screws of the butt-plate, the remaining fingers under the butt, the butt more or less kept back, according to the conformation of the man, so that the piece seen front the front (or side) shall appear perpendicular, and also that the movement of the thigh, in marching, may not raise it, or cause it to waver; the stock below the tail band, resting against the hollow of the shoulder, just within the joint, the right arm hanging naturally as in the position of the soldier.
Present-ARMS. ( Two motions.)
§ 69. First. Turn the piece with the left hand, the lock out,and seize the small at the same time with the right hand, the piece perpendicular and detached from the shoulder, the left hand remaining under the butt.
§ 70. Second. Complete the turning inwards of the piece so as to bring it erect before the centre of the body, the rammer to the front, the right hand under and against the guard ; seize it smartly at the same time with the left hand above the lock, the thumb extended along the barrel and on the stock, the fore-arm resting on the body without constraint, and the hand at the height of the elbow.
Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
71. Turn the piece with the right hand, the
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barrel out; (with the thumb on the S Plate, and the forefinger against the cock,) raise and support it against the left shoulder with the right hand, drop the left hand under the butt, the right hand resting on, without grasping the small.
72. Second. Drop quickly the right hand into its
position.
Order-ARMS. (Two motions.)
73. First. Drop the piece smartly by extending the left arm, seize it at the same time with the right hand above and near the tail band; (without the least pause,) quit the hold of the left hand, and carry the piece opposite to the right shoulder, the rammer in front, the little finger behind the barrel, the right hand supported against the hip, the butt three inches from the ground, the piece erect, the left hand hanging by the side.
74. Second. Let the piece slip through the right hand to the ground without shook, and take the following position:
Position of Order-Arms.
75. The hand low, the barrel between the thumb and forefinger extended along the stock; the other fingers extended and joined; the muzzle about two inches from the right shoulder; the rammer in front; the toe (or beak) of the butt, against, and in a line with, the toe of the right foot, the barrel perpendicular.
Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions;)
76. First. Raise smartly the piece with the right hand, carry it against the left shoulder, so as to bring the barrel to the front; place at the same time the left hand under the butt, and slip the right hand down to the hammer.
77. Second. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.
Support-ARMS. (Three motions.)
78. First. With the right hand seize the small of the
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stock four inches below the lock, raising a little, but not turning the piece.
79.Second. Take the left hand from the butt, extend the left forearm upward across the body, under the cock, the hand flat on the right breast.
80 Third. Drop the right hand smartly into its position.
Carry-ARMS. (Three motions.)
81. Carry quickly the right hand to the small.
82. Second. Place quickly the left hand upon the butt.
83. Third. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position, and drop with the left, at the same time, the piece into the position of shoulder arms.
Unfix-BAYONET. (Three motions.)
84.First. Drop the piece by a smart extension of the left arm, seize it with the right hand above and near thetail band.
85. Second. Drop the piece with the right hand along the left thigh, seize it with the left hand above the right, lengthen out the left arm, rest the butt in the ground without shock, and carry at the same time the right hand to the bayonet; with the thumb, turn the clasp against the stop,*seize the bayonet at the socket and shank, so that the lower end of the socket may be about an inch belowthe heel ofthe palm, and that in resting on the bayonet, the thumb may be extended on the blade.
86. Wrest off the bayonet, return it to the scabbard, place immediately the right little finger on the butt of the rammer, lower the left hand along the barrel, extending the arm, without depressing the shoulder.
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*If the bayonets have no clasps, of course omit this.
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Shoulder-ARMS. (Three motions.)
87. First. Raise the piece with the left hand along the left side, the hand at the height of the chin, the forearm touching the piece, the barrel to the front; drop at the same time the right hand to seize the piece a little above the small, the forefinger touching the cock, and the thumb on the S plate.
88. Second. Raise the piece with the right hand, drop the left and place it under the butt, support the piece with the right hand against the shoulder, in the position of shoulder arms, the right hand resting on without grasping the piece.
89. Second. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.
Secure-ARMS. (Two motions.)
90. First. Seize quickly the piece with the right hand, the thumb on the S plate, and the forefinger against the cock; at the same instant detach the piece from the shoulder, the barrel to the front, seize it at the tail band With the left hand, the thumb extended on the rammer, the piece erect, opposite the shoulder, the left elbow on the piece.
91. Second. Reverse the piece, pass it under the left arm, the left hand remaining at the tail band, the thumb on the rammer, the little finger resting against the hip, and the right hand falling, at the same time, into its position.
Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
92. First. Raise the piece with the left hand, (but not too suddenly, least the rammer should fly out,) seize the small with the right hand to support it against the shoulder, quit the hold of the left hand, and place quickly this hand under the butt.
Second. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position; drop at the same time the piece into the position of shoulder arms.
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Fix-BAYONET. (Three motions.)
94. First. As in unfix bayonet, 84.
95. Second. As in unfix bayonet, 85, except that the right hand will go to the scabbard, to seize the bayonet by the socket and shank, so that the lower (now upper) unit of the socket shall extend about an inch above the heel of the palm.
96. Second. Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, carry and fix it on the muzzle, turning the clasp towards the body with the right thumb; place immediately the little finger on the head of the rammer, lower the left hand along the barrel, extending the arm without depressing the shoulder.
Shoulder-ARMS. (Three motions.)
97. First, Second, and Third, as in Shoulder arms, from Unfix bayonet.
Charge-BAYONET. (Three motions.)
98. First. Make a half face to the right on the left heel, bring the left toe to the front, place at the same time the right foot behind and at right angles with the left, the hollow of the right foot opposite to, and about three inches from the left heel; turn the piece with the left hand, the lock outwards, and seize the handle at the same time with the right hand, the piece perpendicular and detached from the shoulder; (leave the left hand under the butt.)
99. Second. Bring down the piece with the right hand into the left, the latter seizing it a little in advance of the tail band, the barrel up, the left elbow near the body, the right hand supported against the hip, the point of the bayonet at the height of the eye. (The men of the rear rank will take care not to touch their file-leaders with the points of their bayonets.)
Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
100. First. Face to the front by turning on the left
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heel, bring up the right by the side of the left heel; at the same time spring up the piece with the right hand to the left shoulder, and place the left hand under the butt.
101. Second. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.
Trail-ARMS. (Two motions.)
I02. First. As the first motions of Order arms, 73.
103. Second. Incline a little the muzzle to the front, the butt to the rear, and about three inches from the ground, the right hand (the little finger having been slipped to the front), grasping the piece and supported at the hip.*
Shoulder-ARMS.
104. At the command shoulder, raise the piece perpendicularly in the right hand; at the command arms, execute the two motions in shoulder, arms from the position of order arms.
If the instructor wish to give repose in, the position of order arms, he will command :
§ 105. At this command, the men will no longer be required to preserve silence or to remain steady in position.
Or ho will command:
1.In place. 2. REST.
106. At the second command, the men will not be
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*If the instructor wish to relieve the men when marching with arms trailed, he will command: Change-HANDS ; which will be executed in one motion, by raising the muzzle to the shoulder passing the piece across the front of the body, trailing it with the left, and dropping the right hand by the side. At the command, Re-change-Hands, raise the muzzle to the shoulder, pass the piece to the right hand and retake the position
of trial arms.
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required to preserve silence or steadiness of position, but they must always keep one or the other heel, and their pieces on the alignment.
Orhe will command:
107. At the second command, the men will carry the right foot six inches in rear of the left heel, the left knee slightly bent, the body upright upon the right leg, the piece resting against the hollow of the right shoulder, the hands crossed in front, the backs of them outwards, the left hand uppermost, the eyes direct to the front.
1. Attention. 2. SQUAD.
108. At the second word, the men will resume the correct position of order arms.
109. If, at the command in place-rest or parade-rest, the squad bein the position of support-arms. the men will be regulated by the directions in 106,107, except they will bring up smartly the right hand to the small of the stock. At the command of attention, they will resume the correct position of support arms.
To Right Shoulder Shift-ARMS.* (Two motions.)
110. First. Turn the piece with the left hand, lock to the front, seize it at the same time with the right hand at the small.
111. Second. Carry the piece to the right shoulder, the lock plate upwards, the left hand still holding the butt, the muzzle elevated; place the right hand on the butt, the beak between the first two fingers, the other two fingers under the butt plate, and let fall the left hand by the side.
Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
112. First. Raise the piece and extend the right arm, seize it with the left hand above the lock, carry
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*From the position of shoulder arms.
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the piece against the left shoulder, turning the barrel to the front, (in turning place the thumb on the S plate,) the right hand being at the small, place the left hand under the butt.
113. Second. Let the right hand fall by the side.
Slope (or Ease) ARMS. (One motion.)
114. Carry forward and raise slightly the left hand, so that the piece will rest at the lower band on the left shoulder, keep the muzzle elevated, the piece sloped diagonally to the rear.
Carry-ARMS. (One motion.)
115. Depress the left hand and resume the position of shoulder arms.
Arms-AT WILL. (One motion.)
116. Carry the piece at pleasure on either shoulder, with one or both hands, the muzzle elevated.
Shoulder-ARMS. (One motion.)
117. Retake quickly the position of shoulder-arms.
Arms-PORT.
118. Throw the piece diagonally across the body, the lock to the front, seize it smartly at the same time with both hands, the right at the small, the left at the tail band, the thumbs pointing towards the muzzle, the barrel sloping upwards and crossing opposite to the point of the left shoulder, the butt proportionately lowered; the palm of the right hand above, that of the left hand under the piece, and the nails of both hands next to the body, to which the elbows will be closed.
Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
119. First. Bring the piece smartly to the left shoulder, placing the hand under the butt.
120. Second. Drop the right hand smartly by the side.
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The squad being at ordered arms, if the instructor wish the pieces to be placed upon the ground, he will command:
Ground-ARMS. (Two motions.)
121. First. Turn the piece with the right hand, the barrel to the left, at the same time seize the cartridge-box with the left hand, bend the body, advance the left foot, the heel opposite the lower band; lay the piece on the ground with the hand, the toe of the butt on a line with the right toe., the knees slightly bent, the right heel raised.
122. Second. Rise up, bring the left foot by the side of the right, quit the cartridge-box with the left hand, and drop the hands by the side.
Raise-ARMS. (Two motions.)
123 First. Raise the cartridge-box with the left hand, bend the body, advance the left foot, opposite the power band, and seize the piece with the right hand.
124. Second. Raise the piece, bringing the left foot by the side of the right; turn the piece with the right hand, the rammer to the front; at the same time quit the cartridge-box with the left hand, and drop this hand to the side.
The squad being in two ranks at order arms, the instructor will command:
Stack-ARMS.
125. At this command, the front rank man of every even numbered file will pass his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand above the middle band, and place the butt outside and near his left foot, the barrel turned to the front, the muzzle opposite the right shoulder. At the same time the front rank man of
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every odd numbered file will pass his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand below the middle band, and hand it to the man next on the left; the latter will receive it with the right hand two inches above the middle band, throw the butt about thirty-two inches to the front, opposite to his right shoulder, inclining the muzzle towards the right shoulder, and lock the shanks of the two bayonets, the barrel remaining to the rear and its shank above that of the first piece. The rear rank man of every even file projects his bayonet forward, the barrel to the right, and introduces it (using both hands) between the muzzles and under the shanks of the two other bayonets. He will then abandon the piece to his file leader, who will receive it with the right hand under the middle band, bring the butt to the front, holding up his own piece and the stack with his left hand, and place the butt of the third piece between the feet of the man next on the right, the Barrel to the right. The stack thus formed, the rear rank man of every odd file will pass his piece into his left hand, the barrel turned to the front, and, sloping the bayonet forward, rest it on the stack.
126. When organized companies stack arms the sergeants, (and also the corporals, if in the rank of file closers) will rest their pieces against the stacks nearest them respectively, after ranks are broken, and resume their pieces on the signal to re-form ranks.
Take-ARMS
127 At this command, the rear rank man of every odd file will withdraw his pieces from the stack; the front rank man of every even file will seize his own piece with the left hand, and that of the man on his right with his right; the rear rank man of every even file will seize his piece with the right hand at the middle band, advancing for the purpose the hollow of his right
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foot as far as the right heel of his file leader; these two men will raise up the stack to loosen the shanks; the front rank men of every odd file receives his piece from the hand of every odd file receives his piece from the hand of the man next on the left, and the four men will retake the position of the soldier at order arms.
Reverse-ARMS.* (Two motions.)
128 First. Grasp the piece with the right hand, the finger nails to the front, at the height of the shoulder, turn the piece to the right and in front of the body, and bring it reversed under the left arm, the barrel sloping to the rear; at the same time, slip the left hand to the small, grasping it with the finger nails up.
129. Second. Remove and carry briskly the right hand to the rear of the body, and with it grasp the piece between the middle and lower bands, the finger nails outwards.
Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
130. First. Bring the right hand briskly to the front and with it grasp the piece at the swell of the stock, the finger nails inward, at the same time slip the left hand to the butt and invert the piece with both hands, bringing it in front of the body, to the shoulder, and, slipping the right hand, let it fall to the hammer.
131. Second. Drop the right hand by the side.
Rest on-ARMS.* (Two motions
132. First. Grasp the piece at the height of the shoulder, with the right hand, the finger nails to the front, reverse it by turning it to the right in front of the body, and let the muzzle rest on the left foot, the left hand resting on the butt.
133. Second. Remove quickly the right hand to the butt and let it rest there, the finger nails outward; at the same time, bow the head and bend the right knee.
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* From the position of shoulder arms.
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Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
134. First. Drop the right hand, and with is seize the piece at the swell of the stock; with both hands, (the left depressed and the right raised,) turn the piece in front of the body, bringing it against the left shoulder, and slipping the right hand let it fall to the hammer.
135. Second. Drop the right hand by the side.
The men being at ordered arms, and having the bayonet in the scabbard, the instructor will command:
Inspection-ARMS. (Three motions.)
136. First. Face to the right once and a half, carrying the right foot perpendicular to the alignment, about six inches from, and at right angles with, the left foot; seize promptly the piece with the left hand a little above the middle band, incline the muzzle to the rear without displacing the heel of the butt, the rammer turned towards the body; carrying at the same time the right hand to the bayonet, and seize it as prescribed in fix bayonet, 95.
137 Second. Draw the bayonet from the scabbard, carry it and fix it on the muzzle; seize next the rammer, draw it as explained in the fifth time of loading, (see page 36, Para. 150,151, 152,) and let it glide to the bottom of the bore.
138. Third. Face promptly to the front, seize the piece with the right hand and retake the position of order arms.
139. The instructor will then inspect in succession the piece of each man, in passing along the front of the rank. Each, as the inspector reaches him, will raise smartly his piece with his right hand, seize it with the left near the lower band, the lock to the front, the left hand at the height of the chin, the piece opposite to the left eye; the instructor will take it with the right hand
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at the handle, and after inspecting it, will return it to the recruit, who will receive it back with the right hand, and replace it in the position of order arms.
140. When the instructor shall have passed him, each man will take the position prescribed in 136, return the rammer as
explained in the seventh time of loading, (see page 37, para. 154, 155, 156,) and resume the position of order arms.
If instead of inspection of arms, bayonets are to be fixed only, the command is,
Fix-BAYONET.
141. Take the position prescribed in the first motion of inspection of arms, 136, fix bayonet and face to the front.
If the instructor wish to ascertain whether any of the pieces are loaded, he will command:
Spring-RAMMERS.
142. Put the rammers in the barrel as above explained, and retake the position of order arms.
143. The inspector for the purpose stated can take the rammer by the small end, and spring it in the barrel, or cause each man to make it ring in the barrel.
144. Each man, after the inspector passes him, will return rammer and resume the position of order arms.
Load in ten times.
1. LOAD. (Two motions.)
145. One. Drop the piece by a smart extension of the left arm, seize it with the right hand above and near the tail band; at the same time carry the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the left foot.
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146. Two. Drop the piece with the right hand along the left thigh, seize it with the left hand at the middle band, and with the left hand let it descend along to the ground, without shock, the piece touching the left thigh, and the muzzle opposite to the centre of the body,; carry the right hand quickly to the cartridge box and open it.
2. Handle-CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
147. Seize the cartridge with the thumb and next two fingers, and place it between the teeth.
3. Tear-CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
148. Tear the paper down to the powder, hold the cartridge upright between the thumb and next two fingers, near the top; and in this position place it in front of and near the muzzle, the back of the hand to the front.
4. Charge-CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
149. Fix the eye on the muzzle, turn quickly the back of the hand towards the body, in order to discharge the powder into the barrel, raise the elbow to the height of the wrist, shake the cartridge, force it into the muzzle and leave the hand reversed, the fingers extended, the thumb extended along the barrel.
5. Draw-RAMMER. (Three motions.)
150. One. Drop smartly the right elbow and seize the rammer between the thumb and forefinger bent, the other fingers shut; draw it smartly extending the arm, seize the rammer again at the middle, between the thumb and forefinger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the movement of the hand; clear the rammer from the pipes by again extending the arm.
151. Two. Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, (the rammer
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of the rear rank man grazing the right shoulder of the man of the same file in front, respectively) the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the butt of the rammer opposite to the muzzle, but not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on the muzzle.
152. Three. Insert the butt of the rammer and force it down as low as the hand.
6. Ram-CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
153. Extend the arm to its full length to seize the rammer between the right thumb extended and the forefinger bent, the other fingers closed; with force ram home twice (the right elbow down and near the piece) and seize the rammer at the little end, between the thumb and forefinger bent, the other fingers closed, the right elbow touching the body.
7. Return-RAMMER. (Three motions.)
154. One. Draw briskly the rammer, reseize it at the middle between the thumb and forefinger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the movement of the hand, clear the rammer from the barrel by extending the arm.
155, Two. Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, (the rammer of the rear rank man grazing the right shoulder of the man of the same file in front,) the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the little end of the rammer opposite to the first pipe, but not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on that pipe.
156. Three. Insert the little end, and with the thumb, which will follow the movement, force it as low as the middle band; raise quickly the right hand a little bent, place the little finger on the butt of the rammer, and force it down; lower the left hand on the barrel to the extent of the arm, without depressing the shoulder.
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8. Cast-ABOUT. (Two motions.)
157. One. Raise the piece with the left hand along the left side, the hand at the height of the chin, the forearm touching the piece, the barrel to the front; drop at the same time the right hand to seize the piece a little above the small, the forefinger touching the lock, the thumb on the S plate, and bring back the right heel to the side of the left.
158. Two. Make a half face to the right on the left heel, bring the left toe to the front, the right heel behind and at right-angles with the left, the hollow of the right foot against the heel of the left. At the same time seize the small of the stock with the right hand, and bring down the piece with both hands to the position of charge-BAYONET.
9. PRIME. (One motion.)
159. Sustain the piece with the left hand (half-cock the piece), brush off the old cap, and with the thumb and first two fingers, take a cap from the pouch, place it firmly on the cone, pushing it down with the thumb.
10. Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
160. As from Charge-Bayonet, 100, 101.
To Load in Four Times.
161. The first time will be executed at the command Load; the three others at the words, two, three, and four.
Load in four Times-LOAD.
162. Execute what is prescribed for Load, Handle-Cartridge, Tear-Cartridge, and Charge-Cartridge.
TWO.
163. Draw-Rammer and Ram-Cartridge.
THREE.
164. Return-Rammer and Cast-About.
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FOUR.
165. Prime and Shoulder-Arms.
To Load at will.
Load at will-LOAD.
166. At the command load, execute the loading as in four times, but without resting on the times.
READY. (Four motions.)
167. One. Make a half face to the right on the left heel, bring the left toe to the front, place at the same time the right foot behind, and at right angles with the left, the hollow of the right foot against the left heel; turn the piece with the left hand, the lock outwards, and seize at the same time the handle (or small of the stock,) with the right hand, the piece perpendicular, and detached from the shoulder; (leave the left hand under the butt.)
168. Two. Bring the piece with the left hand to the middle of the body, place the left hand just above the lock, the thumb extended on the stock at the height of the chin, the S plate almost turned towards the body, the rammer obliquely to the left and front.
169. Three. Place the thumb in the hammer, the forefinger under and on the guard, the other three fingers joined to the first, the elbow at the height of the wrist.
170. Four. Close the right elbow smartly to the body in cocking, seize the piece at the small, let it descend along the body in the left hand to the tail band, which will remain at the height of the shoulder, (and opposite to the centre of the body.)
AIM. (One motion.)
171. Drop smartly the muzzle, the left hand remaining at the tail band, support the butt against the right shoulder, the left elbow a little down, shut the
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left eye, direct the right along the barrel, drop the head upon the butt to catch the object, and place the forefinger on the trigger.
172. The rear rank man will, at the same time, carry the right foot about eight inches towards the left heel of the man next on the right.
FIRE. (One motion.)
173. Apply the forefinger with force to the trigger without further lowering or turning the head, and remain in that position.
LOAD. (From the fire-two motions.)
174. One. Bring back the piece quickly with both hands, the rear rank men bringing the right foot by the side of the left; depress the butt strongly by extending the right arm, and carry it with the arm thus extended to the left side, the barrel turned to the front and opposite to the left shoulder; open the left hand to let the piece slide through it to the middle band, the back of the hand to the front, the left forearm touching the stock; at the same time face to the front, and carry the right foot forward, the heel against the hollow of the left foot.
175. Two. Quit the hold of the right hand; with the left hand remaining at the middle band, let the piece descend to the ground, without shock, and take the position of the second motion of the first time of loading.
Shoulder-ARMS. (From the fire-two motions.)
176. One. Bring back the piece with both hands, face to the front, carry the piece against the left shoulder and place the left hand under the butt.
177. Two. Let fall smartly the right hand into its position.
Recover-ARMS. (From the aim-one motion.)
178. At the word recover, withdraw the finger from
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the trigger: at the command arms, throw up smartly the muzzle, and retake the position of the fourth motion of ready.
Shoulder-ARMS. (From the ready-one motion.)
179. At the word shoulder, face to the front, bring the piece to the middle of the body, the left thumb at the height of the chin, the piece supported by the left hand, holding it fast above the lock; next place the right thumb on the head of the cock, support the forefinger on the trigger, sustain at the same time the cock in its decent till it nearly touches the cone, raise the cock to the half-cock notch, (the reaching of which will be both felt and heard,) and seize the handle of the piece (or small of stock,) with the right hand. At the word arms carry the piece smartly to the shoulder and retake the position of shoulder arms.
Firings.
180. The firings are either direct or oblique.
For the direct fire, the instructor will command:
1. Fire by Squad. 2. Squad. 3. READY.
4. AIM 5. FIRE. 6. LOAD.
181. These several commands will be executed as has been prescribed in the Manual of Arms. At the sixth they will load their pieces and return immediately to the position of ready.
182. The firing will be re-commenced by the commands:
1. Squad. 2. AIM. 3. FIRE. 4. LOAD.
When the instructor wishes the firing to cease he will command:
Cease-FIRING.
183. At this command the men will cease firing, but will load their pieces if unloaded, and afterwards bring them to a shoulder.
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184. The oblique fire will be executed to the right and left, and by the same commands as the direct fire, with this single difference-the command aim will always be preceded by the caution, right or left oblique.
Position of the ranks in the oblique fire to the right.
185. At the command ready, the two ranks will execute what has been prescribed for the direct fire.
186. At the cautionary command, right oblique, the two ranks will throw back the right shoulder and look steadily at the object to be hit.
187. At the command aim, each front rank man will aim to the right without deranging his feet; each rear rank man will advance the left foot about eight inches towards the right heel of the man, next on the right of his file leader, and aim to the right, inclining the upper part of the body forward, and bending a little the left knee.
188. At the command load, both ranks will resume the position of load in the fire direct.
Position of the ranks in the oblique fire to the left.
189. At the command left oblique, the two ranks will throw back the left shoulder, and look steadily at the object to be hit.
190. At the command aim, the front rank will take aim to the left without deranging the feet; each man in the rear rank will advance the right foot about eight inches towards the right heel of the man next on the right of his file leader, and aim to the left, inclining the upper part of the body forward, and bending a little the right knee.
191. At the command load, both ranks will come to position of load as prescribed in the direct fire.
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The instructor will command:
1. Fire by file. 2. Squad. 3. READY. 4. COMMENCE FIRING.
192. At the fourth command, the right file will aim and fire, the two men together; the rear rank man in taking aim will carry the right foot about eight inches to the right; the next file aims at the instant the first had fired, and so on successively to the left. After the first fire every man will load and fire without waiting for the others.
Cease-FIRING.
193. At this command, the men will cease firing. If they have fired, they will load their pieces and bring them to a shoulder; if at the position of ready, they will half-cock and shoulder arms. If in the position of aim, they will bring down their pieces, half-cock, and shoulder arms.
194. The fire by rank will be executed by each entire rank, alternately.
The instructor will command:
1. Fire by rank. 2. Squad. 3. READY. 4. Rear rank. 5. AIM. 6. FIRE. 7. LOAD.
195. At the third command both ranks will take the position of ready.
196. At the seventh command, the rear rank will load and come to the position of ready. When several men in the rear rank have taken this position, the instructor will command:
1. Front rank. 2. AIM. 3. FIRE. 4. LOAD.
THE SQUAD.
197. At these commands, the men in the front rank will execute what has been prescribed for the rear rank.
198. The instructor will thus continue to alternate from rank to rank. At the command cease firing, the men will execute what has been before prescribed.
PART II.
199. The company being assembled on its ground, the sergeants, by the command fall in, cause the rank and file (corporals and privates) to form in one rank, faced to the right, the tallest man on the right (or head of the rank,) the next tallest next, and so on to the left, or rear of the rank.
The first sergeant will then command:
FRONT.
200. At this command, the company will face to the front.*
The first sergeant will the command:
1. In two ranks, form Company. 2. Company
right-FACE. 3. MARCH.
201. At the second command, the company will face to the right; the man on the right will remain faced to the front.
202. At the command march, the men who have faced to the right, will step off and form files in the following manner: the second man in the rank will place himself behind the first to from the first file; the third will place himself by the side of the first in the front rank; the fourth behind the third in the rear rank. All the others will, in like manner, place themselves, alternately, in the front and rear rank, and will thus form files of two men, on the left of those already formed.
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* If the roll of the company is called, each man, as he answers to his name, will bring his piece to the position of order arms, and the sergeant, after the roll is called through, will command shoulder arms.
THE COMPANY.
The first sergeant will then command:
In each rank-Count TWOS.
203. At this command, the men count in each rank from right to left, pronouncing in a loud and distinct voice, in the same tone, without hurry, and without turning the head, one, two, according to the place which each one occupies.
204. He will then divide the company into two equal platoons, and each platoon into two equal sections, place the corporals in position in the front rank, on the right and left of platoons, and report to the captain the formation of the company.
The officers and sergeants will now take their posts as follows:
205. The captain in the front rank on the right of the company, touching with the left elbow.*
206. The first lieutenant, two paces in rear of and opposite the centre of the fourth section.
207. The second lieutenant, two paces in rear of and opposite the centre of the first platoon.
208. The third lieutenant, two paces in rear of and opposite the centre of the second platoon.
209. The first sergeant, in the rear rank and covering the captain. He is denominated covering sergeant, or right guide of the company.
210. The second sergeant, two paces in rear of and opposite to the second file from the left of the company.
He is designated as left guide of the company.
211. The third sergeant, two paces in rear of and opposite the second file from the right of the second platoon.
212. The fourth sergeant, two paces in rear of and opposite
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* When the captain acts as instructor or in independent command of the company, the first lieutenant takes this post, and his post in turn is filled by the second lieutenant, and so on.
THE COMPANY.
opposite the second file from the left of the first platoon.
213. The fifth sergeant, two paces in rear of and opposite to the second file from the right of the first platoon.
214. Absent officers and sergeants may be replaced,-officers by sergeants, and sergeants by corporals.
215. The officers and sergeants thus posted in rear of the company, constitute the rank of file closers. This rank is two paces in rear of the rear rank.
216. The pioneer is posted in the line of file closers on the right; and the music in a line with the front rank, four paces on its right, the drum on the right of the fifer, or bugler.
The company being at ordered arms, the ranks and file closers well aligned, to open ranks, the instructor will command:
1..Attention. 2. Company. 3. Shoulder-ARMS.
4. Prepare to open ranks. 5. To the rear open
order.
217. At the fourth command, the left guide will place himself on the left of the front rank.
218. At the fifth command, the covering sergeant and the left guide will step off smartly to the rear, four paces from the front rank, in order to mark the alignment of the rear rank. The instructor having aligned these two guides on a line parallel to the front rank, will then command:
6. MARCH.
219. At this command, the front rank will stand fast. The rear rank will step to the rear without counting the steps, and will place itself on the alignment marked out for it. It will then be aligned on the left guide by the covering sergeant. The file closers will step off at the same time with the rear rank,
THE COMPANY.
place themselves two paces in the rear of it when it is aligned.
The instructor seeing the ranks aligned, will command:
7. FRONT.
220. At this command, the left guide will return to his place as a file closer.
221. The ranks being open, the instructor will place himself in a position to see the ranks, and will command the manual of arms in the following order:
Present Arms, Shoulder Arms.
Order Arms, Shoulder Arms.
Support Arms, Shoulder Arms.
Unfix Bayonet, Carry Arms.
Secure Arms, Shoulder Arms.
Fix Bayonet, Shoulder Arms.
Charge Bayonet, Shoulder Arms.
Trail Arms, Shoulder Arms
Load in ten times.
To close ranks, the instructor will command:
1. Close order. 2. MARCH.
222. At the command march, the rear rank will close up in quick time, each man covering his file leader.
223. The company may be exercised in the manual of arms, loading in four times, loading at will, firing by file, firing by rank, and direct and oblique firing by company, as prescribed in the squad drill, the instructor substituting company for squad wherever it occurs.
224. At the preparatory command in firing, the captain will promptly place himself opposite the centre of his company, and four paces in rear of the line of file closers; the covering sergeant will retire to that line, and place himself opposite his interval.
THE COMPANY.
This rule is general for both the captain and covering sergeant, in all the different firings.
1. Face by the rear rank. 2. Company
3. ABOUT-FACE.
225. At the first command, the captain will step out and place himself near to, and facing the right file of his company; the covering sergeant, and file closers, will pass quickly through the captain's interval, and place themselves faced to the rear, the covering sergeant a pace behind the captain, and the file closers two paces from the front rank, opposite to their places in line, each passing behind the covering sergeant.
226. At the third command, which will be given at the instant the last file closer shall have passed through the interval, the company will face about; the captain will place himself in his interval in the rear rank, now become the front, and the covering sergeant will cover him in the front rank, now become the rear.
227. Faced by the rear rank, the different firings will be executed in the manner already prescribed. The fire by file will commence on the left of the company, now become the right; and in the fire by rank, the firing will commence with the front rank, now become the rear.
To resume the proper front, the instructor will command:
1. Face by the front rank. 2. Company
3. ABOUT-FACE.
228. At the first command, the captain, covering sergeant and file closers, will conform to what is prescribed in para. 225 and 226. At the third command, the company having faced about, the captain and covering sergeant will resume their places in line.
THE COMPANY.
229. The company being in line and correctly aligned, to march it by the front, the instructor will cause a sergeant to take position six paces in advance of the captain. This advanced sergeant, who is charged with the direction, will take two points on the ground in the straight line to the front to direct his course. The instructor will then command:
1. Company, forward. 2. MARCH.
230. At the command march, the company will step off with life. The directing sergeant will observe, with the greatest precision, the length and cadence of the step, marching on the two points he has chosen; he will take in succession, and a little before arriving at the point nearest to him, new points in advance, exactly in the same line with the first two, and at the distance of some fifteen or twenty paces from each other. The captain will march steadily in the trace of the directing sergeant, keeping always six paces from him. The men will march with the head direct to the front, touch lightly the elbow towards the captain, and resist pressure coming form the opposite side. The file closers will march at the habitual distance of two paces behind the rear rank.
If the men lose the step, the instructor will command:
To the-STEP.
231. At this, the men will glance towards the directing sergeant, retake the step from him, and again direct their eyes to the front.
The instructor, wishing to halt the company, will command:
1. Company. 2. HALT.
232. At the second command, the company will halt. The directing sergeant will remain in advance, unless ordered to
THE COMPANY.
return to the line of file closers. The captain will then rectify the alignment, by the commands and according to the principles prescribed, para. 23.
233. The company being halted and correctly aligned, to cause it to march in retreat, the instructor will place the directing sergeant six paces in rear of the line of file closers and in the same straight line with the covering sergeant, and will then command:
1. Company. 2. ABOUT-FACE.
The company and directing officer having faced to the rear, the instructor will command:
3. Company, forward.
234. At this command, the covering sergeant will step into the line of file closers, opposite to his interval, and the captain will place himself in the rear rank, now become the front.
This being done, the instructor will command:
4. MARCH.
235. At this, the directing sergeant, the captain and the men, will conform themselves to what is prescribed, para. 230.
To halt the company and face it to the front, the instructor will command:
1. Company, halt. 2. ABOUT-FACE.
236. As soon as the company is faced to the front, the captain, covering sergeant, and directing sergeant will resume their places in line.
Oblique march in line of battle.
The company being in the direct march, either advancing or retiring in line, to cause it to march obliquely, the instructor will command:
1. Right (or left) oblique. 2. MARCH.
THE COMPANY.
237. At the command march, the company will take the oblique step, and execute the movement as prescribed, para. 27.
238. In the oblique march the men not having the touch of elbows, the guide will always be on the side towards which the oblique is made, without any indication to that effect being given, and when the direct match is resumed, the guide will be, equally without indication, where is was previous to the oblique.
To resume the direct march, the instructor will command:
1. Forward. 2. MARCH.
239. At the command march the company will take the direct step.
240. The company should now be caused to execute the following commands according to the principles prescribed in the squad drill.
1. Mark time 1. Forward 1. Common time 1. Double quick. 1. Quick time. 1. Change step 1. Right about. 1. Right about. |
2. MARCH. 2. MARCH. 2. MARCH. 2. MARCH. 2. MARCH. 2. MARCH. 2. MARCH. 2. MARCH. |
241. The company when marching in double quick time should be caused to bring their pieces to right shoulder shift arms, and the distance between the ranks should be twenty-six inches. When pieces are carried on the right shoulder in quick time, the distance between the ranks should by sixteen inches.
242. Whenever the company is halted, the men will bring their pieces at once to a shoulder at the command,
THE COMPANY.
halt; and the rear rank will close to its proper distance of thirteen inches.
These rules are general.
The company being in line, at a halt, and each rank having counted of by twos, the instructor will command:
1. Company. right-FACE. 2. Forward-MARCH.
243. At the first command, the company will face to the right, the covering sergeant will place himself at the head of the front rank, the captain having stepped out for that purpose, so far as to find himself by the side of the sergeant, ands on his left; the front rank will double as is prescribed, para. 39; the rear rank will, at the same time, side step to the right, and double in the same manner, so that when the movement is completed, the files will be formed of four men aligned, and elbow to elbow. The intervals will be preserved. The file closers will also move by side step top the right, so that when ranks are formed, they will be two paces from the remotest rank.
244. At the command march, the company will move off briskly in quick time; the covering sergeant at the head of the front rank, and the captain on his left, will march straight forward. The men of each file will march abreast of their respective front rank men, heads direct to the front; the file closers will march opposite to their places in line of battle.
To cause the march by the left flank, the company being in line and at a halt, the command is:
1. Company. left-FACE. 2. Forward-MARCH.
245. At the first command, the company will face to the left; the ranks will double as prescribed, para. 41;*
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*If the instructor wish the company to face right or left, without doubling files, he must caution them to that effect. The above commands might be varied thus: Company, two ranks, right (or left)-FACE.
THE COMPANY.
the rear rank will side step one pace to the left before doubling. The left guide will place himself at the head of the front rank; the captain will pass rapidly to the left, and place himself by the right side of this guide; the covering sergeant will replace the captain in the front rank, the moment the latter quits it to go to the left. At the command march, the company will move off in quick time.
To halt the company marching by the flank and to face it to the front, the instructor will command:
1. Company. 2. HALT. 3. FRONT.
246. The second and third commands will be executed as prescribed, para.s 42 and 43. As soon as the files have undoubled, the rear rank will close to its proper distance. The captain and covering sergeant, as well as the left guide, will return to their habitual places in line at the instant the company faces to the front. The captain will rectify the aligment.
The company being faced by the flank and either in march, or at a halt, to cause it to change direction by file, the instructor will command:
1. By file left (or right). 2. MARCH.
247. At the command march, the first file will wheel; if to the side of the front rank man, the latter will take care not to turn all at once, but to describe a short arc of a circle, shortening a little the first five or six steps, in order to give time to the fourth man of this file to conform himself to the movement. If to the side of the rear rank, the front rank man will wheel in the step of twenty-eight inches, and the fourth man will conform himself to the movement by describing the short arc of a circle as has been explained. Each file will come to wheel on the same ground where that which preceded it wheeled.
THE COMPANY.
The company being in march by the right flank to from it on the right by file into line of battle, the instructor will command:
1. On the right, by file into line. 2. MARCH.
248. At the command march, the rear rank men, doubled, will mark time; the captain and the covering sergeant will turn to the right, march straight forward, and be halted by the instructor when they shall have passed at least six paces beyond the rank of file closers; the captain will place himself correctly on the line of battle, and will direct the alignment, as the men of the front rank successively arrive; the covering sergeant will place himself behind the captain at the distance of the rear rank. The two men on the right of the front rank doubled will continue to march, and passing beyond the covering sergeant and the captain, will turn to the right; after turning, they will continue to march elbow to elbow, and direct themselves towards the line of battle, but when they shall arrive at two paces from this line, the even number will shorten the step so that the odd number may precede him on the line, the odd number placing himself by the side and on the left of the captain; the even number will afterwards oblique to the left, and place himself on the left of the odd number. The next two men of the front rank doubled, will pass in the same manner behind the two first, turn then to the right and place themselves according to the means just explained, to the left and by the side of, the two men already established on the line; the remaining files of this rank will follow in succession and be formed to the left in the same manner. The rear rank doubled will execute the movement in the manner already explained for the front rank, taking care to mark time until four men of the front rank are established on the line of battle, and as they arrive on the line, to cover accurately their file leaders.
THE COMPANY.
If the company be marching by the left flank, to cause it to form by file on the left into line of battle, the command is:
1. On the left, by file into line. 2. MARCH.
249. At the command march, the same movements will be made to the left; the files coming into line on the right of the captain, and left guide, and the odd numbers shortening the step, so that the even numbers may preceded them on the line. The captain and left guide will return to their places in line of battle as soon as the company is formed and aligned.
If the company be marching by the right flank, and the instructor should wish to undouble the files, he will command:
1. In two ranks, undouble files. 2. MARCH.
250. At the command march, the odd numbers will continue to march straight forward, the even numbers will shorten the step, and obliquing to the left will place themselves promptly behind the odd numbers; the rear rank men will gain a step to the left, and retake the touch of the elbows.
251. If the company be marching by the left flank, it will be the even numbers who continue to march forward, and the odd numbers who will undouble.
To cause the files to be doubled, the command is:
1. In four ranks, double files. 2. MARCH.
252. At the command march, the files will double in the manner as explained, when the company faces by the right or left flank.
253. In column by company, the captain is two paces in front of the centre of his company; the first sergeant on the right of the front rank, and is the right guide of the company; the second sergeant on the left of the front rank, and is the left guide of the company.
THE COMPANY.
254. In column by platoon, the captain commands the first platoon, the first lieutenant the second platoon: each two paces in front of the centre of his platoon; the first sergeant is the guide of the first platoon, the second sergeant is the guide of the second platoon: they will be, unless otherwise ordered, on the left of the front rank of their respective platoons, if the column to be right in front, and on the right, if the left be in front. In the route step, the chiefs of platoons take the place of the guides on the directing flank, and are covered by the latter in the rear rank.
255. In column by section, the captain commands the first section; the first lieutenant the third; the second lieutenant the second; and the third lieutenant the fourth section; the first sergeant is guide of the first section, the second sergeant id guide of the fourth; the third sergeant is guide of third, and the fourth sergeant is guide of the second section; each on the left of the front rank of his section, if the column be right in front, and on the right, if the left be in front. In the route step, the chiefs of sections take the places of the guides on the directing flank, and are covered by the latter in the rear rank.
256. In column by company, platoon, or section, the file closers, not otherwise provided for, are in their proper places behind the rear rank of their respective subdivisions.
Movements in Column.
The company being in march by the right flank, the instructor, wishing to form it into line, as a subdivision of column, will command:
1. By company, into line. 2. MARCH.
257. At the command march, the covering sergeant will continue to march straight forward; the men will
THE COMPANY.
advance the right shoulder, take the double quick step, and move into line, by the shortest route, taking care to undouble the flies, and to come on the line one after another. As the front rank men successively arrive in line with the covering sergeant, they will take the step from him, and then turn their eyes to the front. The rear rank will conform to the movements of their respective file leaders. The captain, as soon as the company is formed, will command guide left, place himself before the centre, face to the front and take the step of the company. At the command guide left, the second sergeant will promptly place himself in the front rank, on the left, to serve as guide.
258. The company being in march by the left flank, this movement will be executed by the same commands, and according to the same principles; the company being formed, the captain will command guide right, the covering sergeant on the right flank of the front rank will serve as guide, and the second sergeant, placed on the left flank, will remain there.
The company marching by the flank, the instructor will cause it to form platoons by the command:
1. By platoon, into line. 2. MARCH.
259. This movement will be executed by each platoon according to the above principles. Both the captain and lieutenant, at the instant their respective platoons are formed, will command guide left, (or right); when the guide of each platoon will pass rapidly to the indicated flank of the platoon, if not already there.
If the instructor wish to exercise the company in passing from the march by the front to the march by the flank, or from the march by the flank to the march by the front, in either case he will employ the command:
1. Company by the right (or left) flank. 2.
MARCH.
THE COMPANY.
260. The company will face to the right or left, in marching, in the manner prescribed in para. 45, and the captain, the guides and file closers, will conform themselves to what os prescribed for each in the march by the flank, or in the march by the front of a company supposed to be a subdivision of a column. If, after facing to the right or left in marching, the company find itself faced by the rear rank, the captain will place himself two paces behind the centre of the front rank, now in the rear, the guides will pass to the rear rank, now leading, and the file closers wil march in front of this rank.
If the company be marching in column by platoon, the right in front, and the instructor should wish it to march by the flank in the same direction, he will command:
1. Column, by the right flank. 2. By file left.
3. MARCH.
261. At the second command, each chief of platoon and its guide will pass rapidly to the right flank to conduct it. At the command march, each platoon will face to the right in marching, wheel by file to the left and then march straight forward; the leading file of the second platoon will unite with the rear file of the first; the chief and guide of the second, a pace before the union, will pass through the interval to their places as file closers.
262. With the left in front, the movement will be executed by inverse means, substituting in the command left for right and right for left. The captain, (if a halt be not immediately commanded) will replace the first lieutenant and conduct the left flank, and the covering sergeant will return to his place on the right flank, now the rear.
The company being at a halt in line of battle, the
THE COMPANY.
instructor, wishing to break into column, by platoon to the right, will command:
1. By platoon, right-wheel. 2. MARCH.
263. At the first command the chiefs of platoon will rapidly place themselves two paces before the centres of their respective platoons, the lieutenant passing around the left of the company, (and caution them as to the rules for wheeling from a halt.) The covering sergeant will replace the captain in the front rank. At the command march, the right front rank man of each platoon will face to the right the covering sergeant standing fast; the chief of each platoon will move quickly by the shortest line, a little beyond the point at which the wheeling flank will rest when the wheel shall be completed, face to the late rear, and place himself so that the line which he forms with the man on the right (who has faced) shall be perpendicular to that occupied by the company in line of battle; each platoon will wheel according to the principles prescribed, para. 55, and when the man who conducts the marching flank shall approach within three paces of the perpendicular, its chief will command Platoon, HALT. At this command, the platoon will halt; the covering sergeant will move to the point where the left of the platoon is to rest, passing by the front rank; the second sergeant will place himself in like manner, in respect to the second platoon. Each will leave, between himself and the man on the right of his platoon, a space equal to its front; each chief being assured that the guide of his platoon is thus established on the perpendicular, will step back two paces, and command Left-DRESS. The alignment being ended, each chief will command FRONT, and place himself before the centre of his platoon.
264. The company will break by platoon to the left
THE COMPANY.
according to the same principles, and by inverse means. The commands are:
1. By Platoon left wheel. 2. MARCH. 3. Platoon.
4. HALT. 5. Right-DRESS. 6. FRONT.
The company having broken by platoon,, right (or left), in front, if the instructor wish the column to march, he will command:
1. Column, forward. 2. Guide left (or right).
3. MARCH.
265. At the command march, promptly repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the whole will step off together. The men will each feel lightly the elbow of his neighbor towards the guide, and conform himself in marching to the principles prescribed in the squad drill. The man next to the guide in each platoon will take care never to pass him, and also to march about six inches to the right (or left) from him. The leading guide will observe with precision, the length and cadence of the step, and maintain the direction of his march by the means prescribed, para. 230. The guide of the following platoon will march exactly in the trace of the leading one, preserving between the latter and himself a distance precisely equal to the front of his platoon, and marching in the same step with the leading guide.
266. If the company be broken into column by section, it will be put in march by the same commands and according to the same principles.
To change direction of the column.
267. Change of direction while marching will be executed as a general rule, by wheeling. Whenever, therefore, the direction of the column is to be changed, the instructor will change the guide, if not already there, to the flank opposite to the side, to which the change is to be made.
THE COMPANY.
268. The column being in march right in front, if the instructor wish to change direction to the left, he will send a marker to the point at which the change is to be made, who will place himself on the direction of the guides, so as to present the breast to that flank of the column. He will then command, Guide-RIGHT, and direct the chief of the first platoon to lead the head of column to the left. When the leading guide shall have approached within four paces of the marker (or wheeling point), the chief of the first platoon will command:
1. Left WHEEL.
At the instant the guide shall have arrived opposite the marker, (or wheeling point), the chief of the platoon will command:
2. MARCH.
At this, the platoon will wheel to the left. The wheel being nearly finished, the chief of platoon will command:
3. Forward.
And when completely finished, he will command:
4. MARCH.
At which the platoon will march straight forward in the new direction; when the chief will immediately command:
5. Guide-LEFT.
At this, the guide will shift to the left, passing by the front of the platoon, and in rear of its chief.
269. The second platoon will continue to march straight forward till up with the marker, when it will wheel to the left, and retake the direct march by the same commands and the same means which governed the first platoon.
270. The column being in march right in front, the change of direction to the right by wheeling will be
THE COMPANY.
executed according to the same principles but by inverse means.
271. The change of direction in a column, left in front, will be executed according to the same principles.
To halt the column, and to form to the right or left into line, either at a halt or on the march.
The column being in march, right in front, to halt it, the instructor will command:
1. Column. 2. HALT.
272. At the second command, promptly repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the column will halt; the guides also will stand fast, although they might have lost both distance and direction.
The instructor wishing to form it into line, will place himself at platoon distance in front of the leading guide, face to him, and rectify, if necessary, the position of the guide beyond; which being executed, he will command:
Left-DRESS.
273. At this command, which will be repeated by the chiefs of platoon, each of them will place himself briskly two paces outside of his guide, and direct the alignment of the platoon perpendicularly to the direction of the column. Each chief, having aligned his platoon, will command FRONT, and return quickly to his place in column. The instructor will then command:
1. Left into line, wheel. 2. MARCH.
274. At the command march, briskly repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the front rank man on the left of each platoon will face to the left, and place his breast lightly against the arm of the guide by his side, who stands fast; the platoons will wheel to the left on the principle of wheels from a halt. Each chief will turn to his platoon to observe its movement, and when the marching flank of his platoon is three paces from the
THE COMPANY.
line, he will command: 1. Platoon. 2. HALT. The chief of the second platoon having halted it, will immediately return to his place as a file closer, passing around the left. The captain will then move rapidly to the point at which the right of the company will rest in line of battle and command:
Guides-POSTS.
At this, the covering sergeant will cover the captain and the left guide will return to his place as a file closer.
275. If the left be in front, the company will be formed to the right into line, upon the same principles and by inverse means. The instructor will command: 1. Right into line, wheel. 2. MARCH. The captain, having halted the first platoon, will go to the point, at which the left of the company will rest in line, and give the command: Left-DRESS: seeing both platoons aligned, he will add FRONT; and at the command, Guides-POSTS, given by the instructor, the captain will promptly shift to the right of the company.
276. If the column be marching right in front, to form it into line without halting the column, the instructor will give the commands prescribed para. 273. At the command march, briskly repeated by the chiefs of platoons, the left guides will halt short, the instructor, the chiefs of platoon and the platoons will conform to what is prescribed, para. 274.
277. If the column be in march left in front, this formation will be made, according to the same principles and by inverse means.
278. If the column be marching right in front, to
THE COMPANY.
form it into line without halting, and to march the company in line to the front, the command is:
1. By platoons, left wheel. 2. MARCH.
At the command march, briskly repeated by the chiefs of platoon, the left guides will halt; the man next to the left guide in each platoon will mark time; the platoons will wheel to the left, conforming to the principles of the wheel on a fixed pivot. When the right of the platoons shall arrive near the line of battle, the instructor will command:
3. Forward. 4. MARCH. 5. Guide right (or left).
At the fourth command, given at the instant the wheel is completed, the company will move off together; the captain, the chief of the second platoon, the covering sergeant, and the left guide will take their places as in line of battle. At the fifth command, to be given immediately after the fourth, the captain and covering sergeant, if not already there, will move briskly to the side on which the guide is designated.
279. The same principles are applicable to a column left in front.
To break the company into platoons.
The company marching right on front and supposed to make part of a column, to cause it to break by platoon, the instructor will command:
1. Break into platoons. 2. MARCH.
280. At the first command, the captain will place himself before the centre of the first platoon, and give the caution: 1. First platoon, 2. Forward; the first lieutenant will pass quickly around the left to the centre of his platoon, and give the caution: 1. Second platoon, 2. Mark time. At the command march, promptly repeated by the captain and first lieutenant, the first platoon will continue to march straight forward-the covering
THE COMPANY.
sergeant, as soon as the flank is disengaged, will shift to the left flank of this platoon, the second platoon will begin to mark time, and its chief will immediately add; 1. Right oblique. 2. MARCH. The last command will be given at the instant the rear rank of the first platoon shall have passed. The guide of the second platoon being near the direction of the guide of the first, the chief of the second will command; 1. Forward, and add, 2. MARCH, the instant that the guide of his platoon shall cover the guide of the first.
281. In a column, left in front, the company will break into platoons by inverse means, applying to the first platoon all that has been prescribed for the second, and reciprocally. In this case, the left guide of the company will shift to the right flank of the second platoon, and the covering sergeant will remain on the right of the first.
The column, by platoon, being in march, right in front, to form company, the instructor will command:
1. Form company. 2. MARCH.
282. At the first command, the captain will give the caution: 1. First platoon, 2. Right oblique; the first lieutenant will give the caution: 1. Second platoon, 2. Forward. At the command march, promptly repeated by the captain and first lieutenant, the first platoon will oblique to the right in order to unmask the second-the covering sergeant will return to the right of the company-and the second will continue to march straight forward. When the first platoon shall have nearly unmasked the second, the captain will command: 1. Mark time, and at the instant the unmasking shall be complete, he will add; 2. MARCH. The second platoon having continued to march straight forward, when
THE COMPANY.
it shall be nearly up with the first, the captain will command: 3. Company, 4. Forward and at the instant the two platoons shall unite, add: 5. MARCH; the first platoon will then cease to mark time, the whole company will march off together, and the chief of the second platoon will pass quickly around the left to his place in the rear of the company.
283. In a column left in front, the same movement will executed by inverse means. The guide of the second platoon, on its right, will pass to its left flank, the moment the platoon begins to oblique; the guide of the first remaining on the right flank of his platoon.
284. The company marching in column by platoon, right (or left) in front, may be broken into sections and re-formed into platoons according to the same principles.
To break files to the rear, and to cause them to
re-enter into line.
The company being in march and constituting part of a column, right in front, to cause files to break off from the left, the instructor will command:
1. Two files from left to rear. 2. MARCH.
285. At the command march, the first two files on the left of the company will mark time, the others will continue to march straight forward; the two rear rank men of the files will, as soon as the rear rank of the company shall clear them, move to the right by advancing the outer shoulder; the odd number will place himself behind the third file from that flank, the even number behind the fourth, passing for this purpose behind the odd number, the two front rank men, in like manner, move to the right when the rear rank of the company shall clear them, the odd number will place himself behind the first file, the even number behind
THE COMPANY.
the second file, passing for this purpose behind the odd number.
286. If the instructor should still wish to break two files from the same side, he will give the same order; at the command march, the files already broken, advancing a little the outer shoulder, will gain the space of two files to the right, shortening, at the same time, the step, in order to make room between themselves and the rear rank of the company for the files last ordered to the rear: the latter will break in the same manner as the first. The men who double should increase the length of the step in order to prevent distances from being lost.
If the files are broken from the right, the command will be:
1. Two files from right to rear. 2. MARCH.
287. At the command march, the files will move to the left, advancing the outer shoulder, the even number of the rear rank will place himself behind the third file, the odd number of the same rank behind the fourth; the even number of the front rank behind the first file, the odd number of the same rank behind the second, the odd numbers for this purpose passing behind the even numbers.
288. When the front of the company is thus diminished by breaking off successive groups of two files, the new files must always be broken from the same side.
If the instructor wish the files broken off to return into line, he will command:
1. Two files into line. 2. MARCH.
289. At the command march, the first two files of those marching by the flank, will return briskly into line, and the others will gain the space of two files by advancing the inner shoulder towards the flank to which they belong.
THE COMPANY.
290. On the same principles any number of files may be broken off together, in which case the command will be: Four or six files form the left (or right) to rear: MARCH; and any number of files may be brought onto line at once, by the command: Four or six files into line: MARCH. Whenever there is on the right or left of a subdivision, a file which does not belong to a group, it will be broken off and brought into line singly.
The company being in march, and supposed to constitute part of a column, if the instructor wish it to march in the route step, he will command:
1. Route step. 2. MARCH.
291. At the command march, repeated by the captain, the front rank will continue the step of twenty-eight inches, the rear rank will take, by gradually shortening the step, the distance of twenty-eight inches from the front rank; the men, without further command, will immediately carry their arms at will, as indicated in para. 116. They will no longer be required to march in the cadenced step, or to remain silent.
292. The company, marching in the route step, its front may be diminished by breaking into platoons or sections, by the same commands, and by the same means as if the company were marching in the cadenced step. When the company breaks into platoons, the chief of each will move to the flank of his platoon, and will take the place of the guide, who will step back into the rear rank. As soon as the platoons shall be broken, each chief of section will place himself will place himself on its directing flank in the front rank; the guides, who will be thus displaced, will fall back into the rear rank; the file closers will close up to within one pace of this rank. The moment the platoons are re-formed, the chiefs of the left sections will return to their places as file closers.
THE COMPANY.
293. The company marching in the route step, the instructor will cause it to change direction, which will be executed without formal commands, on a simple caution from the captain; the rear rank will come up to change direction in the same manner as the front rank. Each rank will conform itself to the principles prescribed for the change in closed ranks, with this difference only; that, in wheeling, the pivot man, instead of taking steps of nine, will take steps of fourteen inches, in order to clear the wheeling point. When the company marching in the route step shall halt, the rear rank will close up at the command halt, and the whole will shoulder arms.
294. The company marching in the route step, to cause it to pass to the cadenced step, the instructor will order pieces to be brought to the right shoulder, and then command: 1. Quick time. 2. MARCH. At the command march, the men will resume the cadenced step, and will pass so as to leave a distance of sixteen inches between each rank. The chiefs and guides of subdivisions will resume their place in column.*
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* Sometimes it is desirable to march the company in the form of the column in route, but in the cadenced step, in which case the instructor will command: 1. Open order. 2. MARCH. At the command march, the rear rank will take, by shortening the step, the distance of four paces from the front rank; each chief of platoon, or section, will move to the flank of his subdivision, and take the place of the guide, who will step back to the rear rank, as in the route step. At the commands: 1. Close order. 2. MARCH; the rear rank will close up and the chiefs and guides of subdivisions will resume their places in column.
THE COMPANY.
The company being at a halt and supposed to be part of a column, right in front, to cause it to countermarch, the instructor will command:
1. Countermarch. 2. Company, right-FACE.
3. By file left. 4. MARCH.
295. At the second command, the company will face to the right, the two guides to the right about; the captain will go to the right of his company, and cause two files to break to the rear, and then place himself by the side of the front rank man to conduct him. At the command march, both guides will stand fast; the company will step off smartly; the first file, conducted by the captain, will wheel around the right guide, and direct its march along the front rank so as to arrive behind and two paces form the left guide; each file will come in succession to wheel on the same ground, around the right guide; the leading file having arrives at a point opposite to the left guide, the captain will command:
1. Company. 2. HALT. 3. FRONT.
4. Right-DRESS
The first command will be given at four paces from the point where the leading file is to rest. The company will halt at the second command, and at the third it will face to the front. After the fourth command, the captain will step two paces outside of the left guide, now on the right, and direct the alignment, so that the front rank may be enclosed between the guides; the company being aligned, he will command FRONT, and place himself before the centre of the company as if in column; the guides, passing along the front rank, will shift to their proper places, on the right and left of that rank.
THE COMPANY.
296. In a column by platoon (or section), the countermarch will be executed by the same commands, and according to the same principles; the guide of each platoon (or section) will face about, and its chief will place himself by the side of the file on the right, to conduct it.
297. In a column left in front, the command will be executed by inverse commands and means, but according to the same principles. Thus, the movement will be made by the right flank of subdivisions, if the right be in front, and by the left flank, if the left be in front; in both cases the subdivisions will wheel by file to the side of the front rank.
The column being in march, to form on the right (or left) into line of battle.
The column by platoon, right in front, being in march, the instructor will command:
1. On the right onto line. 2. Guide-right.
298. At the second command, the guide of each platoon will shift quickly to its right flank; the column will continue to march straight forward; the instructor will move briskly (or send a marker) to the point at which the right of the company ought to rest inline, and place himself facing the point of direction to the left which he will choose. The head of the column being nearly opposite to the instructor, the chief of the first platoon will command: 1. Right turn; and when exactly opposite to that point, he will add: March. At this command, the first platoon will turn to the right in conformity to what is prescribed, para. 66; its guide will so direct his march as to bring the front rank man, next on his left, opposite to the instructor; the chief of the platoon will march before its centre, and when its guide shall be near the line, he will command: 1. Platoon. 2. HALT.
THE COMPANY.
At this command, which will be given at the instant the right of the platoon shall arrive at the distance of three paces from the line of battle, the platoon will halt; the files not yet in line will come up promptly. The guide will throw himself on the line of battle, opposite to one of the three left files of his platoon, and face to the instructor, who will align him on the point of direction to the left. The chief of platoon will, as soon as sees all the files of the platoon in line, command: Right-DRESS.
299. The second platoon will continue to march straight forward, until its guide shall arrive opposite to the left file of the first; it will then turn to the right at the command of its chief and march towards the line of battle, its guide directing himself on the left file of the first platoon. The guide having arrived at the distance of three paces from the line of battle, this platoon will be halted, as prescribed for the first; at the instant it halts, its guide will spring on the line of battle opposite to one of the three left files of his platoon, and will be assured in his position by the instructor. The chief of the second platoon, seeing all its files in line, and its guide established on the direction, will command: Right-DRESS; and then return to his place as a file closer, passing around the left. The second platoon having aligned itself on the first, the captain will command: FRONT.
The movement ended the instructor will command:
Guides-POSTS.
300. At this, the two guides will return to their places in line of battle.
301. A column by platoon, left in front, will form on the left into line of battle, according to the same principles, and by inverse means, applying to the second platoon what is prescribed for the first, and reciprocally. The chief of the second platoon having aligned it from the left, will return to his place as a
THE COMPANY.
file closer. The captain having halted the first platoon three paces behind the line of battle, will go to the same point to align this platoon, and then command: FRONT. At the command guides-posts, given by the instructor, the captain will shift to his proper flank and the guides take their places in the line of battle.
Formation of a company from two ranks into four, and reciprocally, at a halt, and in march.
The company being in two ranks, at a halt, the instructor, wishing to form it into four ranks, will command:
1. In four ranks, form company. 2. Company,
left-FACE. 3. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH.)
302. At the second command, the left guide will remain faced to the front, the company will face to the left, and double files as prescribed, para. 41. At the command march, the first file of four men will reface to the front without undoubling. All the other files of four will step off, and closing successively to about five inches of the preceding file, will halt, and immediately face to the front, the men remaining doubled. The file closers will take their places at two paces in rear of the fourth rank.
The company being in four ranks, if the instructor wish to form it in two ranks, he will command:
1. In two ranks, form company. 2. Company,
right-FACE. 3. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH.)
303. At the second command, the left guide will stand fast, the company will face to the right. At the command march, the right guide will step off in prolongation of the front rank. The
THE COMPANY.
leading file of four men will step off at the same time, the other files standing fast; the second file will step off when there shall be between it and the first space sufficient to form into two ranks. The following files will execute successively what has been prescribed for the second. As soon as the last file shall have its distance, the instructor will command: Company. 2. HALT. 3. FRONT. At the command front, the company will face to the front and the files will undouble.
The company being in two ranks and marching to the front, if the instructor wish to from it into four ranks, he will command:
1. In four ranks, form company. 2. By the left double files. 3. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH.)
304. At the command march, the left guide and the left file of the company will continue to march straight to the front; the company will make a half face to the left, the odd numbers placing themselves behind the even numbers. The even numbers of the rear rank will shorten their steps to permit the odd numbers of the front rank to get between them and the even numbers of that rank. The files thus formed of fours, except the left file, will continue to march obliquely, lengthening their steps slightly, so as to keep constantly abreast of the guide; each file will close successively on the file next on its left, and when at the proper distance form that file, will face to the front by a half face to the right, and take the touch of the elbows to the left.
The company being in march to the front in four ranks, if the instructor wish to form it into two ranks, he will command:
1. In two ranks, form company. 2. By the right, undouble files. 3. MARCH (or double quick-MARCH.)
THE COMPANY.
305. At the command march, the left guide and the left file of the company will continue to march straight to the front; the company will make a half face to the right and march obliquely, lengthening the step a little, in order to keep, as near as possible, abreast of the guide. As soon as the second file from the left shall have gained to the right the interval necessary for the left file to form into two ranks, the second file will face to the front by a half face to the left and march straight forward; the left file will immediately form into two ranks, and take the touch of the elbows to the left. Each file will execute successively what has just been prescribed for the file next to the left, and each file will form into two ranks, when the file next on its right has obliqued the required distance and faced to the front.
306. If the company be supposed to make part of a column, left in front, these different movements will be executed according to the same principles and by inverse means, substituting the indicated left for right.
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
Position of Shoulder-ARMS.
The piece in the right hand-the barrel nearly vertical and resting in the hollow of the shoulder-the guard to the front, the arm hanging nearly at its full length near the body; the thumb, and fore-finger embracing the guard, the remaining fingers closed together, and grasping the swell of the stock just under the cock, which rests on the little finger.
Present-ARMS. (Two motions.)
One. With the right hand bring the piece erect before the centre of the body, the rammer to the front; at the same time seize the piece with the left hand half-way between the guide sight and lower band, the thumb extended along the barrel and against the stock, the fore-arm horizontal and resting against the body, the hand as high as the elbow.
Two. Grasp the small of the stock with the right hand below and against the guard.
Shoulder-ARMS.
One. Bring the piece to the right shoulder, at the same time change the position of the right band so as to embrace the guard with the thumb and fore-finger, slip up the left hand to the height of the shoulder, the fingers extended and joined, the right arm nearly straight.
Two. Drop the left hand quickly by the side.
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
Order-ARMS.
One. Seize the piece briskly with the left hand near the upper band, and detach it slightly from the shoulder with the right hand; loosen the grasp of the right hand, lower the piece with the left, reseize the piece with the right band above the lower band, the little finger in rear of the barrel, the butt about four inches from the ground, the right hand supported against the hip, drop the left hand by the side.
Two. Let the piece slip through the right hand to the ground by opening slightly the fingers, and take the position about to be described.
Position of Order Arms.
The hand low, the barrel between the thumb and fore-finger extended along the stock; the other fingers extended and joined; the muzzle about two inches from the right shoulder; the rammer in front; the toe (or beak) of the butt, against, and in. a line with, the toe of the right foot, the barrel perpendicular.
Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
One. Raise the piece vertically with the right hand to the height of the right breast, and opposite the shoulder, the elbow close to the body; seize the piece with the left hand below the right, and drop quickly the right hand to grasp the piece at the swell of the stock, the thumb and fore-finger embracing the guard; press the piece against the shoulder with the left hand, the right arm nearly straight.
Two. Drop the left hand quickly by the side.
Support-ARMS (Three motions.)
One. Bring the piece, with the right hand, perpendicularly to the front and between the eyes, the barrel to the rear; seize the piece with the left hand at the lower hand, raise this hand as high as the chin,
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
and seize the piece at the same time with the right hand four inches below the cock.
Two. Turn the piece with the right hand, the barrel to the front; carry the piece to the left shoulder, and pass the fore-arm extended on the breast between the right hand and the cock; support the cock against the left fore-arm, the left hand resting on the right breast.
Three. Drop the right hand by the side.
Shoulder (or Carry)-ARMS. (Three motions.)
One. Grasp the piece with the right hand under and against the left fore-arm; seize it with the left hand at the lower band, the thumb extended; detach the piece slightly from the shoulder, the left fore-arm along the stock.
Two. Carry the piece vertically to the right shoulder with both hands, the rammer to the front, change the position of the right hand so as to embrace the guard with the thumb and fore-finger, slip the left hand to the height of the shoulder, the fingers extended and joined, the right arm nearly straight.
Three Drop the right hand quickly by the side.
Fix-BAYONET. (Three motions.)
One. Grasp the piece with the left hand at the height of the shoulder, and detach it slightly from the shoulder with the right hand.
Two. Quit the piece with the right hand, lower it with the left hand, opposite the middle of the body, and place the butt between the feet without shock, the rammer to the rear, the barrel vertical, the muzzle three inches from the body; seize it with the right hand at the upper band, and carry the left hand reversed to the handle of the sabre-bayonet.
Three. Draw the sabre-bayonet from the scabbard and fix it on the extremity of the barrel; seize the piece with the left hand, the arm
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
extended, the right hand at the upper band.
Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
One. Raise the piece with the left hand and place it against the right shoulder, the rammer to the front; seize the piece at the same time with the right hand at the swell of the stock, the thumb and fore-finger embracing the guard, the right arm nearly extended.
Two. Drop briskly the left hand by the side.
Charge-BAYONET. (Two motions.)
One. Raise the piece slightly with the right hand and make a half face to the right on the left heel; place the hollow of the right foot opposite to, and three inches from the left heel, the feet square; seize the piece at the same time with the left hand a little above the lower band.
Two. Bring down the piece with both hands, the barrel uppermost, the left elbow against the body; seize the small of the stock, at the same time, with the right hand, which will be supported against the hip; the point of the sabre-bayonet as high as the eye.
Shoulder-ARMS. (Two motions.)
One. Throw up the piece briskly with the left hand in facing to the front, place it against the right shoulder, the rammer to the front; turn the right hand so as to embrace the guard, Slide the left band to the height of the shoulder, the right hand nearly extended.
Two. Drop the left hand smartly by the side.
Trail- ARMS (Two motions.)
One. The same as the first motion of order arms.
Two. Incline the muzzle slightly to the front, the butt to the rear and about four inches from the ground. The right hand supported at the
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
hip, will so hold the piece that the rear rank men may not touch with their bayonets the men in the front rank.
Shoulder- ARMS.
At the command shoulder, raise the piece perpendicularly in the right hand, the little finger in rear of the barrel; at the command arms, execute what has been prescribed for the shoulder from the position of order arms.
Unfix-BAYONET. (Three motions.)
One. Same as the first motion of fix-bayonet.
Two. The same as the second motion of fix-bayonet, except that the thumb of the right hand will be placed on the spring of the sabre-bayonet, and the left hand will embrace the handle of the sabre-bayonet and the barrel, the thumb extended along the blade.
Three. Press the thumb of the right hand on the spring, wrest off the sabre-bayonet, turn it to the right, the edge to the front, lower the guard until it touches the right hand, which will seize the back and the edge of the blade between the thumb and first two fingers, the other fingers holding the piece; change the position of the hand without quitting the handle, return the sabre-bayonet to the scabbard, and seize the piece with the left hand, the arm extended.
Shoulder- ARMS. (Two motions.)
One. The same as the first motion from fix bayonet.
Two. The same as the second motion from fix bayonet.
Secure- ARMS. (Three motions.)
One. The same as the first motion of support arms, No. 133, except with the right hand seize the piece at the small of the stock.
Two. Turn the piece with both hands, the barrel to the front; bring it opposite the left shoulder, the butt against the hip, the left hand
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
at the lower band, the thumb as high as the chin and extended on the rammer; the piece erect and detached from the shoulder, the left fore-arm against the piece.
Three. Reverse the piece, pass it under the left arm, the left hand remaining at the lower band, the thumb on the rammer to prevent it from sliding out, the little finger resting against the hip, the right hand falling at the same time by the side.
Shoulder- ARMS. (Three motions.)
One. Raise the piece with the left band, and seize it with the right. hand at the small of the stock. The piece erect and detached from the shoulder, the butt against the hip, the left fore-arm along the piece.
Two. The same as the second motion of shoulder arms from a support.
Three. The same as the third motion of shoulder arms from a support.
Right Shoulder, shift- ARMS. (Two motions.)
One. Detach the piece perpendicularly from the shoulder with the right band, and seize it with the left between the lower band and guide-sight, raise the piece, the left hand at the height of the shoulder and four inches from it; place, at the same time, the right hand on the butt, the beak between the first two fingers, the other two fingers under the butt plate.
Two. Quit the piece with the left hand, raise and place the piece on the right shoulder with the right hand the look plate upwards; let fall, at the same time, the left hand by the side.
Shoulder- ARMS. (Two motions.)
One. Raise the piece perpendicularly by extending the right arm to its full length, the rammer to the front, at the same time seize the piece with the left hand between the lower band and guide-sight.
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
Two. Quit the butt with the right hand, which will immediately embrace the guard, lower the piece to the position of shoulder arms, slide up the left hand to the height of the shoulder, the fingers extended and closed. Drop the left hand by the side.
Arms- AT WILL. (One motion.)
Carry the piece at pleasure on either shoulder, with one or both bands, the muzzle elevated.
Shoulder- ARMS. (One motion.)
Retake quickly the position of shoulder arms.
Ground- ARMS. (From the position of order arms.)
(Two motions.)
One. As prescribed, para. 121.
Two. As prescribed, para. 122.
Raise- ARMS. (Two motions.)
One. As prescribed, para. 123.
Two. As prescribed, para. 124.
Load in nine times.
1. LOAD.* (One motion.)
Grasp the piece with the left hand as high as the right elbow, and bring it vertically opposite the middle of the body, shift the right hand to the upper band, place the butt between the feet, the barrel to the front; seize it with the left hand near the muzzle, which should be three inches from the body; carry the right hand to the cartridge box.
2. Handle-CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
Seize the cartridge with the thumb and next two fingers, and place it between the teeth.
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*Whenever the loadings and firings are to be executed, the instructor will cause the cartridge box to be brought to the front.
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
3. Tear-CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
Tear the paper to the powder, hold the cartridge upright between the thumb and first two fingers, near the top; in this position place it in front of and near the muzzle- the back of the hand to the front.
4. Charge- CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
Empty the powder into the barrel; disengage the ball from the paper with the right hand and the thumb and first two fingers of the left; insert it into the bore, the pointed end uppermost, and press it down with the right thumb; seize the head of the rammer with the thumb and fore-finger of the right hand, the other fingers closed, the elbows near the body.
5. Draw- RAMMER. (Three motions.)
One. Half draw the rammer by extending, the right arm; steady it in this position with the left thumb; seize the rammer between the thumb and fore-finger of the right hand the thumb under and the finger over the rammer; fingers extended, palm of the hand to the front.
Two. Clear the rammer from the pipes by extending the arm; the rammer in prolongation of the pipes.
Three. Turn the, the little end of the rammer passing near the left shoulder; place the head of the rammer on the ball, the back of the hand to the front.
6. Ram- CARTRIDGE. (One motion.)
Insert the rammer as far as the right, and steady it in this position with the thumb of the left hand; seize the rammer at the small end with the thumb and fore-finger on the right hand, the back of the hand to the front; press the ball home, the elbows near the body.
7. Return- RAMMER. (Three motions.)
One. Draw the rammer half-way out, and steady it in this position
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
with the left thumb;grasp it near the muzzle with the right hand, the little finger uppermost,the nails to the front, the thumb along the rammer;clear the rammer from the bore by extending the arm,the nails to the front, the rammer in the prolongation of the bore.
Two. Turn the rammer, its head passing near the left shoulder,and insert it in the pipes until the right hand reaches the muzzle, the nails to the front,
Three. Force the rammer home by placing the little finger of the right hand on the head of the rammer; pass the left hand down the barrel to the extent of the arm, without depressing the shoulder.
*8. PRIME. (Two motions.)
One. With the left hand raise the piece till the hand is as high as the eye, grasp the small of the stock with the right hand; half face to the right; place, at the same time, the right foot behind and at right angles with the left; the hollow of the right foot against the left heel. Slip the left hand down to the lower band, the thumb along the stock, the left elbow against the body; bring the piece to the right side, the butt below the right forearm- the small of the stock against the body and two inches below the right breast, the barrel upwards, the muzzle on a level with the eye.
Two. Half cock with the thumb of the right hand, the fingers supported against the guard and the small of the stock-remove the old cap with one of the fingers of the right band, and with the thumb and fore-finger
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*If Maynard's primer be used, the, command will be: load in eight times and the eighth command will be, shoulder arms and executed from return rammer, in one time and two motions, as follows:
One. Raise the piece with the left band, and take the position of shoulder arms, as indicated No. 146.
Two. Drop the left hand quickly by the side.
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
of the same hand take a cap from the pouch, place it on the nipple and press it down with the thumb; seize the small of the stock with the right hand.
9. Shoulder- ARMS. (Two motions.)
One. Bring the piece to the right, shoulder and support it there with the left hand, face to the front; bring the right heel to the side of and on a line with the left; grasp the piece with the right hand as indicated in the position of shoulder arms.
Two. Drop the left hand quickly by the side.
READY. (Three motions.)
One. Raise the piece slightly with the right hand, making a half face to the right on the left heel; carry the right foot to the rear, and place it at right angles to the left, the hollow of it opposite to, and against the left heel; grasp the piece with the left hand at the lower band and detach it slightly from the shoulder.
Two. Bring down the piece with both hands, the barrel upwards, the left thumb extended along the stock the butt below the right fore-arm, the small of the stock against the body and two inches below the right breast, the muzzle as high as the eye, the left elbow against the side; place at the same time the right thumb on the head of the cock, the other fingers under and against the guard.
Three. Cock, and seize the piece at the small of the stock without deranging the position of the butt.
AIM. (One motion.)
Raise the piece with both hands, and support the butt against the right shoulder; the left elbow down, the right as high as the shoulder; incline the head upon the butt, so that the right eye may perceive quickly the object aimed at; the left eye closed, the right thumb extended along the stock, the fore-finger on the trigger.
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
The rear rank men, in aiming, will each carry the right foot about eight inches to the right, and towards the left heel of the man next on the right, inclining the upper part of the body forward.
FIRE. (One motion.)
Press the fore-finger against the trigger, fire, without lowering or turning the head, and remain in this position.
LOAD. From the fire.*(One motion.)
Bring down the piece with both hands, at the same time face to the front and take the position of load. Each rear rank man will bring his right foot by the side of the left.
Shoulder-ARMS. From the fire(One motion.)
Throw up the piece briskly with the left hand and resume the position of shoulder arms, at the same time face to the front, turning on the left heel, and bring the right heel on a line with the left.
Recover-ARMS. (One motion.)
At the word recover, withdraw the finger from the trigger; at the command arms, retake the position of ready.
Shoulder-ARMS. (One motion.)
At the command shoulder, place the thumb upon the cock, the fore-finger on the trigger, half cock, and seize the small of the stock with the right hand. At the command arms, bring up the piece briskly to the right shoulder, and retake the position of shoulder arms.
__________________________________________________________________
* From this position, the instructor may cause the loading to be continued, as already prescribed. If he wish the men to load without resting on the times, he will command 1. Load at will. 2. LOAD: when each man will load promptly, observing every motion, but without resting, and without waiting for his neighbors.
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
Inspection-ARMS. From order arms.
(Two motions.)
One. Seize the piece with the left hand below and near the upper band, carry it with both hands opposite the middle of the body, the butt between the feet, the rammer to the rear, the barrel vertical, the muzzle about three inches from the body; carry the left hand reversed to the sabre-bayonet, draw it from the scabbard and fix it on the barrel; grasp the piece with the left hand below and bear the upper band, seize the rammer with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand bent, the other fingers closed.
Two. Draw the rammer as explained in loading, and let it glide to the bottom of the bore, replace the piece with the left hand opposite the right shoulder, and retake the position of order arms.
The instructor will then pass along the front of the rank and inspect the piece of each man, all conforming to the principles prescribed in the squad drill, para. 139. Each man, when the instructor shall have passed him, will retake the position prescribed at the command inspection arms, return the rammer, and resume the position of order arms.
Stack-ARMS.
At this command, the front rank man of every even numbered file will pass his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand near the upper band: will place the butt a little in advance of his left toe, the barrel turned towards the body, and draw the rammer slightly from its place; the front rank man of every odd numbered file will also draw the rammer slightly, and pass his piece to the man next on his left, who will seize it with the right hand near the upper band, and place the butt a little in advance of the right toe of the man next on his right, the barrel turned to the
MANUAL FOR RIFLEMEN.
front; he will then cross the rammer of the two pieces, the rammer of the piece of the odd numbered man being inside; the rear rank man of every even file will also draw his rammer, lean his piece forward, the lockplate downwards, advance the right foot about six inches, and insert the rammer between the rammer and barrel of the piece of his front rank man; with his left hand he will place the butt of his piece on the ground, thirty-two inches in rear of, and perpendicular to, the front rank, bringing back his right foot by the side of his left; the front rank man of every even file will at the same time ;lean the stack to the rear, quit it with his right hand, and force all the rammers down. The stack being thus formed, the rear rank man of every odd file will pass his piece into his left hand, the barrel to the front, and inclining it forward, will rest it on the stack.
Take-ARMS.
At this command the rear rank man of every odd numbered file will withdraw his piece from the stack; the front rank man of every even file will seize his own piece with the left hand and that of the man on his right with his right hand, both above the lower band; the rear rank man of the even file will seize his piece with the right hand below the lower band; these two men will raise up the stack to loosen the rammers; the front rank man of every odd file will facilitate the disengagement or the rammers, if necessary, by drawing them out slightly with the left hand, and will receive his piece form the hand of the man next on his left; the four men will retake the position of the soldier at order arms.
INSPECTION.
REGULATIONS AS TO INSPECTION, PARADES, ETC.
_____
The inspection of troops, not less than a company, will generally be preceded by a review. The present example embraces a battalion.
The inspecting officer and the field and staff officers will be on foot. The battalion being in the order of battle, the colonel will cause it to break into open column of companies, right in front. He will next order the ranks to be opened, when the color-rank and color-guard, under the direction of the adjutant, will take post ten paces in front, and the band ten paces in rear of the column. The colonel seeing the ranks aligned, will then command:
1. Officers and Sergeants to the front of your Companies. 2. MARCH.
The officers will form themselves in one rank, eight paces, and the non-commissioned officers in one rank, six paces in advance, along the whole fronts of their respective companies, from right to left in order of seniority; the pioneers and music of each company, in one rank, two paces behind the non-commissioned officers. The colonel will then command:
1. Field and Staff, to the front. 2. MARCH.
INSPECTION.
The commissioned officers thus designated, will form themselves in one rank, on a line equal to the front of the column, six paces in front of the colors, from right to left in order of seniority; and the non-commissioned staff, in a similar manner, two paces in rear of the preceding rank. The colonel, seeing the movement executed, will take post on the right of the lieutenant colonel, and wait the approach of the inspecting officer. But such of the field officers as may be superior in rank to the inspector, will not take post in front of the battalion.
The inspector will commence in front. After inspecting the dress and general appearance of the field and non-commissioned staff under arms, the inspector, accompanied by these officers, will pass down the open column, looking at every rank in front and rear.
The colonel will now command, 1. Order-ARMS. 2. REST; when the inspector will proceed to make a minute inspection of the several ranks or divisions, commencing in front.
As the inspector approaches the non-commissioned staff, color-rank, the color-guard and the band, the adjutant will give the necessary orders for the inspection of arms, boxes, and knapsacks. The non-commissioned staff may be dismissed as soon as inspected, but the color-rank and color-guard will remain until the colors are to be escorted to the place from which they were taken. As the inspector successively approaches the companies, the captains will command:
1. ATTENTION. 2. COMPANY. 3. Inspection-ARMS.
The inspecting officer will then go through the whole company, and minutely inspect the arms, accoutrements and dress of each soldier. After this is done, the captain will command: Open-Boxes; when the ammunition
INSPECTION.
and boxes will be examined. He will then command:
1. Shoulder-ARMS. 2. Close-Order. 3. MARCH.
4. Order-ARMS. 5. Stack-ARMS. 6. To the rear,
open order. 7. MARCH. 8. Front Rank, ABOUT-FACE.
9. Unsling-Knapsacks. 10. Open-Knapsacks.
The sergeants will face inward at the 2nd command, and close upon the centre at the 3rd, and at the 5th command stack their arms; at the 6th they will face outward, and at the 7th resume their position. When the ranks are closed, preparatory to take-arms, the sergeants will also close upon the centre, and at the word, take their arms and resume their position.
The knapsacks will be placed at the feet of the men, the flaps from them, with the great coats on the flaps, and knapsacks leaning on the great coats. In this position the inspector will examine their contents, or so many of then as he may think necessary, commencing with the non-commissioned officers, the men standing at attention. When the inspector has passed through the company, the captain will command: Repack-Knapsacks, when each soldier will repack and buckle up his knapsack, leaving it on the ground, the number turned from him, and then stand at rest. The captain will then command:
1. Attention. 2. Company. 3. Sling-Knapsacks.
4. Front rank, ABOUT-FACE. 5. Close Order.
6. March. 7. Take-ARMS. 8. Shoulder-ARMS.
8. Officers and Sergeants to your posts. 10. MARCH.
At the word sling of the third command, each soldier will take his knapsack, holding it by the inner straps, and stand erect; at the last word, he will replace it on his back. At the 10th command, the company will file off to their rents or quarters, except the company that is to escort the colors, which will await the further orders of the colonel.
FORMS OF PARADE.
FORMS OF PARADE.
The examples here given embrace a battalion of infantry. A single company will parade as if it were with the battalion.
AT the hour appointed, on the signal of the adjutant, the captains will march their companies to the parade-ground, where they take there positions in the order of battle. When the line is formed the captain of the first company, on notice from the adjutant, steps one pace to the front, and gives to his company the command: Order-ARMS; Parade-REST; which is repeated by each captain in succession to the left. The adjutant takes post two paces on the right of the line; the sergeant-major two paces on the left. The music will be formed in two ranks on the right of the adjutant. The senior officer present will take command of the parade, and will take post at a suitable distance in front, opposite the centre facing the line.
When the companies have ordered arms, the adjutant will order the music to beat off, when it will commence on the right, beat in front of the line to the left, and back to its place on its right. The adjutant will then step two paces to the front, face to the left, and command:
1. Attention. 2. Battalion. 3. Shoulder-ARMS.
2. Prepare to open ranks. 5. To the rear open order. 6. MARCH.
At the sixth command, the ranks will be opened, the commissioned officers (field and staff dismounting) will march to the front, field officers six paces, the
DRESS PARADE.
company officers four paces, opposite to their positions in line of battle, halt and dress. The adjutant seeing the ranks aligned will command: FRONT, and march along the front to the centre, face to the right, and pass the line of company officers, eight or ten paces, face to the right about and command:
Present-ARMS.
Seeing this executed, he will face about to the commanding officer, salute and report, “Sir, the parade is formed.” The adjutant will then, on intimation to that effect, take his station three paces on the left of the commanding officer, one pace retired, passing around his rear.
The commanding officer, having acknowledged the salute if the line by touching his hat, will, after the adjutant has taken his post, draw his sword and command:
1. Battalion. 2. Shoulder-ARMS,
and add such exercises as he may think proper, concluding with Order-ARMS. He will then return his sword, and direct the adjutant to receive the reports.
The adjutant will now pass around the right of the commanding officer, advance upon the line, halt mid-way between him and the line of company officers, and command:
1. First Sergeants to the front and centre.
2. March.
At the first command, the first sergeants will shoulder arms, march two paces to the front, and face inward. At the second command, they will march to the centre, and halt. The adjutant will then order:
1. Front FACE. 2. Report.
At the last word, each in succession, beginning on the right, will salute by bringing the left hand smartly across the breast to the right shoulder, and report the
DRESS PARADE.
result of the roll-call previously made on the company parade. The adjutant then commands:
1. First Sergeants, outward-Face. 2. To your posts-MARCH,
when they will resume their places and order arms. The adjutant will then face to the commanding officer, salute, report absent officers, and give the result of the first sergeant’s reports. The commanding officer will then direct the orders to be read, when the adjutant will face about and announce:
Attention to Orders.
Having read the orders, the adjutant will face to the commanding officer, salute and report; when on an intimation from the commander, he will face again to the line and announce:
Parade is dismissed.
All the officers will now return their swords, face inward, and close on the adjutant, he having taken position in their line, the field officers on the flanks. The adjutant commands:
1. Front-FACE. 2. Forward-MARCH.
When they will march forward, dressing on the centre, the music playing, and when within six paces of the commander, the adjutant will give the command: HALT. The officers will then salute the commanding officer by raising the right hand to the cap, and there remain until ha shall have communicated to them such instructions as he may have to give, or indicates that the ceremony is finished. As the officers disperse, the first sergeants will close the ranks of their respective companies, and march them off, the band continuing to play until the companies clear the regimental parade ground.
REVIEW.
Preparatory to a review, the adjutant will cause a camp color to be placed 80 or 100 paces, or more, in front of, and opposite to, where the centre of the battalion will rest, where the reviewing officer is supposed to take his station; and although he may choose to quit that position, still the color is to be considered as the point to which all the movements and formations are relative. The adjutant will also cause points to be marked, at suitable distances, for the wheelings of the divisions, so that their right flanks, in marching past, shall be about four paces from the camp color, or position of the reviewing officer.
The battalion being formed in the order of battle at shouldered arms, the colonel will command:
1. Battalion, prepare for review. To the rear, open order. 3. MARCH.
At the word march, the field and staff officers dismount, the company officers and the color-rank advance four paces in front of the front rank, and place themselves opposite to their respective places in the order of battle; the color-guard replace the color-rank; the staff officers place themselves, according to rank, three paces on the right of the rank of company officers, and one pace from each other; the music takes post as at dress-parade; the non-commissioned staff take post one pace from each other, and three paces on the right of the front rank of the battalion.
When the ranks are aligned, the colonel will command: FRONT; and place himself eight paces, and the lieutenant-colonel and major will place themselves two
REVIEW.
paces, in front of the rank of company officers, and opposite to their respective places in line of battle, all facing to the front.
When the reviewing officer presents himself before the centre, and is fifty or sixty paces distant, the colonel will face about and command:
Present-ARMS;
and resumes his front. The men present arms, and the officers salute, so as to drop their swords with the last motion of the firelock. The non-commissioned staff salute by bringing the sword to a poise, the hilt resting on the breast, the blade in front of the face, inclining a little outwards. The music will play, and all the drums beat, according to the rank of the reviewing officer.*
The reviewing officer having halted and acknowledged the salute by touching or raising his cap or hat, the colonel will face about and command: shoulder-ARMS: when the men shoulder their pieces; the officers and non-commissioned staff recover their swords with the last motion and the colonel faces to the front.
The reviewing officer will then go towards the right, the whole remaining perfectly steady, without paying any further compliment, while he passes along the front of the battalion and proceeds round the left flank, and along the rear of the file closers, to the right. While the reviewing officer is going round the battalion the band will play, and will cease when he has returned to the right flank.
When the reviewing officer turns off to place him-
*If the reviewing officer be junior in rank to the commandant of the parade, no compliment will be paid to him, but he will be received with arms carried, and the officers will not salute as the column passes in review. The colors salute such persons only as from their rank and by regulation are entitled to that honor.
REVIEW.
self by the camp color in front, the colonel will face the line, and command:
1. Close order. 2. MARCH.
At the first command, the field and company officers will face to the right-about; and at the second command, all persons except the colonel, will resume their places in the order in battle; the field and staff officers mount.
The reviewing officer having taken his position near the camp-color, the colonel will command:
1. By Company, right wheel. 2. Quick-MARCH.
2. Pass in review. 4. Column, forward. 5. Guide right. 6. MARCH.
The battalion, in column of companies, right in front, will then in common time, and at shoulder arms, be put in motion; the colonel four paces in front of the captain of the leading company; the lieutenant-colonel on a line with the leading company; the major on a line with the rear company; the adjutant on a line with the second company; the sergeant-major on a line with the company next preceding the rear- each six paces from the flank (left) opposite the reviewing officer; the staff officers in one rank, according to the order of precedency, four paces in rear of the column; the music, preceded by the principal musician, six paces before the colonel; the pioneers preceded by a corporal, four paces before the principal musician; and the quartermaster-sergeant two paces from the side opposite to the guides, and in line with the pioneers. The guides and soldiers will keep their heads steady to the front in passing in review.
The music will begin to play at the command to march, and after passing the reviewing officer, wheel to the left out of the column, and take a position opposite and facing him, and will continue to play until the rear of the column shall have passed him, when it will cease,
REVIEW.
and follow in rear of the battalion.* The officers will salute the reviewing officer when they arrive within six paces of him, and recover their swords when six paces past him. All officers, in saluting, will cast their eyes towards the reviewing officer. The colonel, when he has saluted at the head of the battalion, will place himself near the reviewing officer, and will remain their until the rear has passed, when he will rejoin the battalion. The colors will salute the reviewing officer, if entitled to it, when within six paces of him, and raised when they have passed by him an equal distance. The color-bearer will remain in ranks while passing and saluting.
The reviewing officer or personage will acknowledge the salute by raising or taking off his cap, or hat, when the commander of the troops salutes him; and also when the colors pass. The rest of the time, occupied by the passage of the troops, he will be covered.
When the column has passed the reviewing officer, the colonel will direct it to the ground it marched from, and command Guide left, in time for the guides to cover. The column having arrived on its ground, the colonel will command: 1. Column. 2 HALT; form it in order of battle, and cause the ranks to opened as above directed. The review will terminate by the whole saluting as at the beginning. +
*That is, unless the battalion is to pass in quick time also, in which case it will keep its position.
+If, however, instructions have been given to march the troops past in quick time also, the Colonel will, instead of changing the guides, halting the column, and wheeling it into line, as above directed, give the command: 1. Quick time. 2. MARCH. In passing the reviewing officer again, no salute will be offered by either officers or men. As the column approaches, the music, having commenced playing at the command march,
REVIEW.
The Colonel will afterwards cause the troops to perform such exercises and maneuvres as the reviewing officer may direct.
A number of companies less than a battalion will be reviewed as a battalion, and a single company as if it were with the battalion. In the latter case, the company may pass in column of platoons.
place itself in front of and march off with the column, and continue to play until the battalion is halted on its original ground. The review will terminate in the same manner as above directed.
GUARD-MOUNTING.
At the first call for guard-mounting, the men warned for duty turn out on their company parades for inspection by the first sergeants. Each detachment, as it arrives, will, under the direction of the adjutant, take post on the left of the one that preceded it, in open order, arms shouldered, and bayonets fixed; the supernumeraries five paces in the rear of the men of their respective companies; the first sergeants in rear of them. The sergeant-major will dress the ranks, count the files, verify the details, and when the guard is formed report to the adjutant, and take post two paces on the left of the front rank.
The adjutant then commands: Front, when the officer of the guard takes post twelve paces in front of the centre, the sergeants in one rank, four paces in rear of the officers; and the corporals in one rank, four paces in rear of the sergeants- all facing to the front. The adjutant then assigns their places in the guard.
The adjutant will then command:
1.Officer and non-commissioned officers. 2. ABOUT-FACE. 3. Inspect your guards-
MARCH.
The non-commissioned officers then take their posts. The commander of the guards then commands:
1. Order-ARMS. 2. Inspection-ARMS.
and inspects his guard. When there is no commissioned officer on the guard, the adjutant will inspect it. During inspection, the band will play.
The inspection ended, the officer of the guard takes post as though the guard were a company of a battalion
GUARD-MOUNTING.
in open order, under review; at the same time also, the officers of the day will take post in front of the centre of the guard; the old officer of the day three paces on the right of the new officer of the day, one pace retired. The adjutant will then command:
1. Parade-REST. 2. Troop-BEAT OFF.
When the music, beginning on the right, will beat down the line in front of the officer of the guard to the left, and back to its place on the right, when it will cease to play.
The Adjutant will then command:
1. Attention. 2. Shoulder-ARMS. 3. Close order-MARCH.
At the word “close order,” the officer will face about; at “march,” resume his post in line. The adjutant then commands: Present-ARMS; at which he will face to the new officer of the day, salute and report, “Sir, the guard is formed.” The new officer of the day, after acknowledging the salute, will direct the adjutant to march the guard in review, or by the flank to its post. But if the adjutant be senior to the officer of the day, he will report without saluting with the sword then, or when marching in review.
In review, the guard march past the officer of the day, according to the order of review, conducted by the adjutant, marching on the left of the first division; the sergeant-major on the left of the last division. When the column has passed the officer of the day, the officer of the guard marches it to its post, the adjutant and sergeant-major retiring. The music, which has wheeled out of the column and taken post opposite the officer of the day, will cease, and the old officer of the day salute, and give the old or standing orders to the new officer of the day. The supernumeraries, at
GUARD-MOUNTING.
the same time, will be marched to their respective company parades and dismissed.
On the approach of the new guard, the officer of the old guard, having his guard paraded, will command: Present-ARMA. The new guard will march, in quick time, past the old guard, at shoulder arms, officers saluting, and take post four paces on its right, when, being aligned with it, its commander will order: Present-ARMS. The two officers will then approach each other and salute. They will then return to their respective guards, and command: 1. Shoulder-ARMS. 2. Order-ARMS.
The officer of the new guard will now direct the detail for the advanced guard to be formed and marched to its post, the list of the guard made and divided into three reliefs, and perform all the other duties incident to his post and necessary at this time to be done.
The first relief having been designated and ordered two paces to the front, the corporal of the new guard will take charge of it, and go to relieve the sentinels, accompanied by the corporal of the old guard, who will take command of the old sentinels, when the whole are relieved. The relief, with arms at a support, in two ranks, will march by a flank, conducted by the corporal on the side of the leading front rank man; and the men will numbered alternately in the front and rear rank, the man on the right of the front rank being No. 1. Should an officer approach, the corporal will command: Carry arms, and resume the support arms when the officer is passed.
When the sentinel sees the relief approaching he will halt and face to it, with his arms at a shoulder. At six paces the corporal will command: 1. Relief. 2. HALT; when the relief will halt and carry arms. The corporal will then add, “No.1,” or “No.2,” or “No.3,”
GUARD-MOUNTING.
according to the number of the post, Arms-PORT. The two sentinels will, with arms at port, then approach each other, when the old sentinel, under the correction of the corporal, will whisper the instructions to the new sentinel. This done, the two sentinels will shoulder arms, and the old sentinel will pass in quick time, to his place in rear of the relief. The corporal will then command: 1. Support-ARMS. 2. Forward. 3. March. And the relief proceeds in the same manner until the whole are relieved.
The detachments and sentinels from the old guard having come in, it will be marched, at shoulder arms, along the front of the new guard, in quick time, the new guard standing at presented arms; officers saluting, and the music of both guards beating, except at the outposts. On arriving at the regimental or garrison parade, the commander of the old guard will send the detachments composing it to their respective regiments or companies.
When the old guard has marched off fifty paces, the officer of the new guard will order his men to stack their arms, or place them in the arm-racks.
GUARDS AND SENTINELS.
Camp and garrison guards will be relieved every twenty-four hours. Sentinels will be relieved every two hours. The officers are to remain constantly at their guards, except while visiting the sentinels or necessarily engaged elsewhere on their proper duty. Neither officers nor soldiers are to take off their clothing or accoutrements while on guard. When a fire breaks out, or any alarm is raised in a garrison, all guards are to be immediately under arms. Sentinels will not take orders or allow themselves to be relieved, except by an officer or non-commissioned officer of their guard or party, the officer of the day, or the commanding officer. Sentinels will report every breach of orders or regulations they are entrusted to enforce. They must keep themselves on the alert, observing everything that takes place within sight and hearing of their post. They will carry their arms habitually at support or on either shoulder, but will never quit them. In wet weather, they will secure arms. No sentinel will quit his post, or hold conversations not necessary to the proper discharge of his duty.
Sentinels will be respected by all persons of whatever rank. They will present arms to general and field officers, to the officer of the day, and to the commanding officer of the post. To all other officers, they will carry arms. The sentinel at any post of the guard, when he sees any body of troops, or an officer entitled to compliments, approach, must call “Turn out the guard:” and announce who approaches. Guards do not turn out as a matter of compliment after sunset; but sentinels will,
GUARDS AND SENTINELS.
when officers in uniform approach, pay them proper attention, by facing to the proper front and standing steady at shoulder arms. This will be observed until the evening is so far advanced that the sentinels begin challenging.
Challenging.
After retreat (or the hour appointed by the commanding officer) until broad daylight, a sentinel challenges every person who approaches him, taking at the same time the position of arms port. He will suffer no person to come nearer than within the reach of his bayonet, until the person has given the countersign. A sentinel in challenging will call out; “Who comes there?” If answered- “Friend, with the countersign,” and he be instructed to pass persons with the countersign, he will reply- “Advance, friend, with the countersign.” If answered- “Friends,” he will reply- “Halt, friends. Advance one with the countersign.” If answered- “Relief,” ”Patrol,” or “Grand rounds,” he will reply- “Halt; advance sergeant (or corporal)with the countersign;” and satisfy himself that the party is what it represents itself to be. If he have no authority to pass persons with the countersign, if the wrong countersign be given, or if the persons have not the countersign, he will cause them to stand, and call- “Corporal of the guard.”
Grand rounds.
The officer wishing to make the rounds, will take an escort of a non-commissioned office and two men. When the rounds are challenged by a sentinel, the sergeant will answer- “Grand rounds,” and the sentinel will reply- “Halt, grand rounds. Advance, sergeant with the countersign.” Upon which the sergeant advances and gives the countersign. The sentinel will then cry- “Advance rounds:” and stand at a shoulder till they have passed.
GUARDS AND SENTINELS.
When the sentinel before the guard challenges, and is answered- “Grand rounds,” he will reply- “Halt, grand rounds, Turn out the guard; grand rounds.” Upon which the guard will be drawn up at shouldered arms. The officer commanding the guard will then order a sergeant and two men to advance; when within ten paces, the sergeant challenges. The sergeant of the grand rounds answers-“Grand rounds.” The sergeant of the guard replies-“ Advance, sergeant, with the countersign.” The sergeant of the rounds advances alone, gives the countersign, and returns to his round. The sergeant of the guard calls to his officer- “The countersign is right;” on which the officer of the guard calls- “Advance, rounds.” The officer of the rounds then advances alone, the guard standing at shouldered arms. The officer of the rounds passes along the front of the guard to the officer, who keeps his post on the right, and gives him the parole. He then examines the guard, orders back his escort, and taking a new one, proceeds in like manner to the other guards.
ESCORTS.
The escort will be drawn up in one line, the centre opposite to the place where the person to be escorted presents himself, with an interval between the wings to receive him and his retinue. On his appearance, he will be received with honors due his rank. When he has taken his place in the line, the whole will be wheeled into platoons or companies, as the case may be, and take up the march. The same ceremony will be observed, and the same honors paid, on his leaving the escort.
When the position of the escort is at a considerable distance from the point where he is expected to be received, a double line of sentinels will be posted from that point to the escort, facing inward, and the sentinels will successively salute as he passes. An officer will be appointed to attend him, to bear such communications as he may have to make to the commander of the escort.
When a battalion turns out under arms, and the color is wanted, a company, other than that of the color, will be put in march to receive and escort the color, in the following order, in quick time and without music:- the drum-major and field music followed by the band; the escort in column by platoon, right in front, with arms shifted to the right shoulder, and the color-bearer between the platoons.
Arrived in front of the tent or quarters of the colonel, the escort will form into line, the field music and band on the right, and arms will be carried. The color-bearer,
COLOR ESCORT.
preceded by the first lieutenant, and followed by a sergeant of the escort, will then go to receive the color.
When the color-bearer shall come out, followed by the lieutenant and sergeant, he will halt before the entrance; the captain will cause the escort to present arms, and the drums will beat to the color for half a minute, when arms will be shouldered, and the escort will be broken into column by platoon. The color-bearer will place himself between the platoons. The lieutenant and sergeant will resume their posts, and the escort will march back to the battalion to the sound of music, in quick time and in the same order as above.
Arrived at the distance of twenty paces from the battalion the escort will be halted, and the music will cease; the colonel will place himself six paces before the centre of the battalion, the color-bearer will approach the colonel, by the front, in quick time; when at the distance of ten paces, he will halt; the colonel will cause arms to be presented, and to the color to be played, which being executed, the color-bearer will take his place in the front rank of the color-guard, and the battalion, by command, will shoulder arms. The escort, field music and band will return in quick time to their several places in the line of battle, marching by the rear of the battalion.
The color will be escorted back to the colonel’s tent or quarters with like ceremony and in the same order.
FUNERAL HONORS.
The funeral escort will be formed in two ranks, opposite to the quarters or tent of the deceased, with shouldered arms and bayonets unfixed; the artillery and cavalry on the right of the infantry.* On the appearance of the corpse, the officer commanding the escort will command:
Present-ARMS.
When the honors due to the decease will be paid by the drums and trumpets. The music will then play an appropriate air, and the coffin will be taken to the right, when it will be halted. The commander will then order:
1. Shoulder-ARMS. 2. By company (or platoon)
left, wheel. 3. MARCH. 4. Reverse-ARMS.
5. Column, forward. 6. Guide right. 7. MARCH.
The column will be marched in slow time to solemn music, and on reaching the grave, will take a direction so as that the guides shall be next to the grave. When the centre of the column is opposite the grave, the commander will order:
1. Column. 2. HALT. 3. Right, into line wheel,
3. MARCH.
*The usual badge of military mourning is a piece of black crepe around the left arm, above the elbow, and also upon the sword hilt, and will be worn when in full or undress. The drums of a funeral escort will be covered with black crepe, or thin black serge.
FUNERAL HONORS.
The coffin is then brought along the front, to the opposite side of the grave, and the commander then orders:
1. Shoulder-ARMS. 2. Present-ARMS.
And when the coffin reaches the grave, he adds:
2. Shoulder-ARMS. 4. Rest on-ARMS.
After the funeral service is performed, and the coffin is lowered into the grave, the commander will order:
1. Attention. 2. Shoulder-ARMS. 3. Load at
will. 4. LOAD.
And cause three rounds of small arms to be fired by the escort. He will then command
1. By company (or platoon) right-wheel. 2.
MARCH. 3. Column forward. 4. Guide left. 5.
Quick-MARCH.
The music will not begin to play until the escort is clear of the enclosure.
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